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V 


I 


7). 


A  TREATISE 

ON  THE 

THEORY  AND  PRACTICE 

OF 

LANDSCAPE  GARDENING, 

ADAPTED  TO 

11 0  r  t  tj  %  m  t  x  x  r  a ; 

WITH  A  VIEW  TO  THE 

IMPROVEMENT  OF  COUNTRY  RESIDENCES. 

COMPRISING 

HISTORICAL  NOTICES  AND  GENERAL  PRINCIPLES  OF  THE  ART, 
DIRECTIONS    FOR    LAYING    OUT    GROUNDS    AND    ARRANGING    PLANTATIONS,  THE 
DESCRIPTION  AND  CULTIVATION  OF  HARDY  TREES,  DECORATIVE 
ACCOMPANIMENTS  OF  THE  HOUSE  AND  GROUNDS, 
THE   FORMATION  OF 
PIECES  OF  ARTIFICIAL  "WATER,  FLOWER  GARDENS,  ETC. 

WITH 

REMARKS  ON  RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 

BY  THE  LATE  A.  J.  DOWNING,  ESQ. 
SIXTH  EDITION, 

ENLARGED,    REVISED,    AND    NEWLY  ILLUSTRATED. 

WITH  A  SUPPLEMENT, 

CONTAINING  SOME  REMARKS   ABOUT   COUNTRY    PLACES,  AND  THE  BEST  METHODS  OF 
MAKING  THEM;    ALSO,  AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  NEWER  DECIDUOUS  AND  EVER- 
GREEN PLANTS,  LATELY  INTRODUCED  INTO  CULTIVATION,  BOTH  HARDY 
AND  HALF-HARDY. 

B  Y 

HENRY  WINTHROP  SARGENT. 


A.    O.    MOORE   &  CO. 

AGRICULTURAL  BOOK  PUBLISHERS,  140  FULTON  STREET. 
1859. 


yW  7 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1859, 
By   A.  0.  MOOEE   &  CO., 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  in  and  for  the 
Southern  District  of  New  York. 


WYNKOOP,  HAT.I.ENBECK  &  THOMAS,  PRINTERS, 

113  Fultcn  Street,  N.  Y. 


TO 


JOHN  QUINCr  ADAMS,  LL.D., 

EX-PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  ; 

THE  LOVER   OF   RURAf,  PURSUITS, 
AS  WELL  AS 

THE    DISTINGUISHED    PATRIOT,  STATESMAN, 

AND  sage; 
THIS  VOLUME 

BY  PERMISSION', 

IS  RESPECTFULLY  AND  AFFECTIONATELY 
DEDICATED, 


BY  HIS  FRIEND, 

THE  AUTHOR. 


PREFACE 


TO    THE    FOURTH  EDITION. 

It  is  even  more  gratifying  to  the  author  of  this  work  to 
know,  from  actual  observation,  that  the  public  taste  in 
Rural  Embellishment  has,  within  a  few  years  past,  made 
the  most  rapid  progress  in  this  country,  than  to  feel  assured 
by  the  call  for  a  fourth  edition,  that  his  own  imperfect 
labors  for  the  accomplishment  of  that  end  have  been  most 
kindly  appreciated. 

In  the  present  edition  considerable  alterations  and 
amendments  have  been  made  in  some  portions — especially 
in  that  section  relating  to  the  nature  of  the  Beautiful  and 
the  Picturesque.  The  difference  among  critics  regarding 
natural  expression  and  its  reproduction  in  Landscape 
Gardening,  has  led  him  more  carefully  to  examine  this 
part  of  the  subject,  in  order,  if  possible,  to  present  it  in 
the  clearest  and  most  definite  manner. 

The  whole  work  has  also  been  revised,  and  more 
copiously  illustrated,  and  is  now  offered  in  a  more  com- 
plete form  than  in  any  previous  edition. 

A.  J.  D. 

Newburgh,  New  York,  Jan.  1649. 


viii 


PREFACE. 


desideratum  so  much  felt  at  present.  While  we  have 
treatises,  in  abundance,  on  the  various  departments  of  the 
arts  and  sciences,  there  has  not  appeared  even  a  single 
essay  on  the  elegant  art  of  Landscape  Gardening.  Hun- 
dreds of  individuals  who  wish  to  ornament  their  grounds 
and  embellish  their  places,  are  at  a  loss  how  to  proceed, 
from  the  want  of  some  leading  principles,  with  the 
knowledge  of  which  they  would  find  it  comparatively  easy 
to  produce  delightful  and  satisfactory  results. 

In  the  following  pages  I  have  attempted  to  trace  out 
such  principles,  and  to  suggest  practicable  methods  of 
embellishing  our  Rural  Residences,  on  a  scale  com- 
mensurate to  the  views  and  means  of  our  proprietors. 
While  I  have  availed  myself  of  the  works  of  European 
authors,  and  especially  those  of  Britain,  where  Landscape 
Gardening  was  first  raised  to  the  rank  of  a  fine  art,  I  have 
also  endeavored  to  adapt  my  suggestions  especially  to  this 
country  and  to  the  peculiar  wants  of  its  inhabitants. 

As  a  people  descended  from  the  English  stock,  we 
inherit  much  of  the  ardent  love  of  rural  life  and  its  pursuits 
which  belongs  to  that  nation  ;  but  our  peculiar  position,  in 
a  new  world  that  required  a  population  full  of  enterprise 
and  energy  to  subdue  and  improve  its  vast  territory,  has. 
until  lately,  left  but  little  time  to  cultivate  a  taste  for  Rural 
Embellishment.  But  in  the  older  states,  as  wealth  has 
accumulated,  the  country  become  populous,  and  society 
more  fixed  in  its  character,  a  return  to  those  simple  and 
fascinating  enjoyments  to  be  found  in  country  life  and 
rural  pursuits,  is  witnessed  on  every  side.  And  to  this 
innate  feeling,  out  of  which  grows  a  strong  attachment  to 
natal  soil,  we  must  look  for  a  counterpoise  to  the  great 
tendency  towards  constant  change,  and  the  restless  spirit 
of  emigration,  which  form  part  of  our  national  character ; 
and  which,  though  to  a  certain  extent  highly  necessary  to 
our  national  prosperity,  are,  on  the  other  hand,  opposed  to 
social  and  domestic  happiness.  "  In  the  midst  of  the 
continual  movement  which  agitates  a  democratic  com- 
munity," says  the  most  philosophical  writer  who  has  yet 
discussed  our  institutions,  "  the  tie  which  unites  one 
generation  to  another  is  relaxed  or  broken  ;  every  man 


PREFACE. 


ix 


readily  loses  the  trace  of  the  ideas  of  his  forefathers,  or 
takes  no  care  about  them." 

The  love  of  country  is  inseparably  connected  with  the 
love  of  home.  Whatever,  therefore,  leads  man  to  assemble 
the  comforts  and  elegancies  of  life  around  his  habitation, 
tends  to  increase  local  attachments,  and  render  domestic 
life  more  delightful ;  thus  not  only  augmenting  his  own 
enjoyment,  but  strengthening  his  patriotism,  and  making 
him  a  better  citizen.  And  there  is  no  employment  or 
recreation  which  affords  the  mind  greater  or  more 
permanent  satisfaction,  than  that  of  cultivating  the  earth 
and  adorning  our  own  property.  "  God  Almighty  first 
planted  a  garden ;  and,  indeed,  it  is  the  purest  of  human 
pleasures,"  says  Lord  Bacon.  And  as  the  first  man  was 
shut  out  from  the  garden,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  no 
alloy  was  mixed  with  his  happiness,  the  desire  to  return  to 
it  seems  to  be  implanted  by  nature,  more  or  less  strongly, 
in  every  heart. 

In  Landscape  Gardening  the  country  gentleman  of 
leisure  finds  a  resource  of  the  most  agreeable  nature. 
While  there  is  no  more  rational  pleasure  than  that  derived 
from  its  practice  by  him,  who 

"  Plucks  life's  roses  in  his  quiet  fields," 

the  enjoyment  drawn  from  it  (unlike  many  other  amuse- 
ments) is  unembittered  by  the  after  recollection  of  pain 
or  injury  inflicted  on  others,  or  the  loss  of  moral  rectitude. 
In  rendering  his  home  more  beautiful,  he  not  only  con- 
tributes to  the  happiness  of  his  own  family,  but  improves 
the  taste,  and  adds  loveliness  to  the  country  at  large. 
There  is,  perhaps,  something  exclusive  in  the  taste  for 
some  of  the  fine  arts.  A  collection  of  pictures,  for 
example,  is  comparatively  shut  up  from  the  world,  in  the 
private  gallery.  But  the  sylvan  and  floral  collections, — 
the  groves  and  gardens,  which  surround  the  country 
residence  of  the  man  of  taste, — are  confined  by  no 
barriers  narrower  than  the  blue  heaven  abo^e  and 
around  them.  The  taste  and  the  treasures,  gradually,  but 
certainly,  creep  beyond  the  nominal  boundaries  of  the 


X 


PREFACE. 


estate,  and  re-appear  in  the  pot  of  flowers  in  the  window, 
or  the  luxuriant,  blossoming  vines  which  clamber  over  the 
porch  of  the  humblest  cottage  by  the  way  side. 

In  the  present  volume  I  have  sought,  by  rendering 
familiar  to  the  reader  most  of  the  beautiful  sylvan  ma- 
terials of  the  art,  and  by  describing  their  peculiar  effects 
in  Landscape  Gardening,  to  encourage  a  taste  among 
general  readers.  And  I  have  also  endeavored  to  place 
before  the  amateur  such  directions  and  guiding  principles 
as,  it  is  hoped,  will  assist  him  materially  in  laying  out 
his  grounds  and  arranging  the  general  scenery  of  his 
residence. 

The  lively  interest  of  late  manifested  in  Rural  Architec- 
ture, and  its  close  connexion  with  Landscape  Gardening, 
have  induced  me  to  devote  a  portion  of  this  work  to  the 
consideration  of  buildings  in  rural  scenery. 

I  take  pleasure  in  acknowledging  my  obligations  and 
returning  thanks  to  my  valued  correspondent,  J.  C.  Loudon, 
Esq.,  F.  L.  S.,  etc.,  of  London,  the  most  distinguished 
gardening  author  of  the  age,  for  the  illustrations  and 
description  of  the  English  Suburban  Cottage  in  the 
Appendix;  to  the  several  gentlemen  in  this  country  who 
have  kindly  furnished  me  with  plans  or  drawings  of  their 
residences  ;  and  to  A.  J.  Davis,  Esq.,  of  New  York,  and  J 
Notman,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia,  architects,  for  architectural 
rawings  and  descriptions. 


PREFACE  TO  SIXTH  EDITION. 


Although  our  advance  in  rural  life  has  not  attained, 
and  may  never  reach,  the  extent  mentioned  by  Mr.  Down- 
ing, in  his  account  of  his  visit  to  Woburn  Abbey,  where 
he  says,  "  there  are  20,000  country  houses  in  England,  each 
larger  than  the  President's  house  at  Washington yet  our 
progress  has  been  very  great — partly,  perhaps,  from  the 
increasing  discomfort  and  expense  of  our  large  cities, 
and  the  great  facilities  which  our  numerous  railways  and 
steamers  offer  to  business  persons  to  reside  permanently 
in  the  country  ;  but  more,  let  us  hope,  from  an  improving 
taste,  and  love  for  rural  life,  which  is  always  one  of  the 
agreeable  and  graceful  accompaniments  of  increasing 
civilization. 

As  a  country  advances  in  age,  she  improves  in  a  taste 
for  all  the  elegant  and  artistic  pursuits  of  life,  which 
naturally  follow  in  the  train  of  wealth  and  refinement. 
The  sword  is  turned  into  the  pruning-hook,  while  "  arma 
cedimt  togce." 

If  one  could  compare  the  extremely  crude  condition 
of  our  rural  knowledge,  upon  the  first  appearance 
of  this  book,  with  the  vast  progress  since  made,  both 
in  the  useful  and  ornamental  cultivation  of  the  soil, 
it  would  seem  difficult  to  realize  that  a  nation  could  move 
with  such  giant  strides.  Still,  though  much  has  been 
done,  much  yet  remains  to  do.  Those  who  have  already 
put  their  hand  to  the  plough,  do  not  desire  to  turn  back, 
they  wish  only  to  know  how  to  go  on  ;  want  of  further 
information,  like  the  cry  of  Ajax, 

"  Give  mo  to  see — " 

pervades  the  whole  land. 

xi 


xii 


TREFACE. 


"  What  shall  I  plant  V  seems  one  of  the  great  in- 
quiries, in  attempting  to  answer  which,  the  Editor  of  this 
New  Edition  has  endeavored  to  give  a  list  of  such  of  the 
newer  trees  and  shrubs  as  have  come  into  notice  within 
the  past  ten  years,  with  such  descriptions  of  their  habits 
and  character  as  his  own  information,  together  with  the 
experience  of  others  (both,  he  regrets  to  say,  very  mea- 
gre), will  enable  him  to  give. 

With  regard  to  the  acclimatizing  of  Evergreens,  he 
would  have  preferred  to  have  had  the  experience  of 
another  year,  in  order  to  test  still  further  certain  varie- 
ties, as  yet  comparatively  untried ;  but  perhaps  some 
future  edition  may  enable  him  to  do  this. 

In  conclusion,  he  would  beg  to  acknowledge  the  assist- 
ance he  has  derived,  in  the  identification  and  classification 
of  new  and  doubtful  varieties,  from  Mr.  Gordon's  excel- 
lent work  on  "  The  Pinetum,"  and  also  from  the  very 
complete  and  thorough  "Traite  General  des  Coniferes," 
par  M.  Carriere. 

To  those  gentlemen,  in  this  country,  who  have  given 
him  the  result  of  their  experience  in  acclimatizing  Ever- 
greens, he  desires  also  to  make  his  acknowledgments. 

H.  W.  S. 

WODENETHE,  FlSHKILL  LANDING,  DUCHESS  Co.,  ) 

New  York,  January,  1859.  ) 


CONTENTS. 


SECTION  I. 

HISTORICAL  SKETCHES. 

Objects  of  the  art.  Origin  of  the  modern  and  natural  style.  Influence 
of  the  English  poets  and  writers.  Examples  of  the  art  abroad.  Land- 
scape Gardening  in  North  America,  and  examples  now  existing. 

SECTION  II. 

BEAUTIES  OF  LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 

Capacities  of  the  art.  The  beauties  of  the  ancient  style.  The  Beautiful 
and  the  Picturesque.  Nature  and  principles  of  Landscape  Gardening  as 
an  imitative  art.  The  Production  of  Beautiful  Landscape.  Of  Picturesque 
do.  Simple  beauty  of  the  art.  The  principles  of  Unity,  Harmony,  and 
Variety. 

SECTION  III. 

WOOD  AND  PLANTATIONS. 

The  beauty  of  trees  in  rural  embellishments.  Pleasure  resulting  from 
their  cultivation.  Plantations  in  the  ancient  style.  In  the  modern  style. 
Grouping  trees.  Arrangement  and  grouping  in  the  Graceful  school.  In 
the  Picturesque  school.  Illustrations  in  planting  villa,  ferme  orn6e,  and 
cottage  grounds.  General  classification  of  trees  as  to  forms,  with  leading 
characteristics  of  each  class. 

SECTION  IV. 

DECIDUOUS  ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 

The  history  and  description  of  all  the  finest  hardy  deciduous  trees. 
Remarks  on  their  effects  in  Landscape  Gardening,  individually  and  in 
composition  ;  their  cultivation,  etc. 

SECTION  V. 

EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


The  history  and  description  of  all  the  finest  hardy  evergreen  trees. 
Remarks  on  their  effects  in  Landscape  Gardening,  individually  and  in 
composition.    Their  cultivation,  etc. 


CONTENTS. 


SECTION  VI. 

VINES  AND  CLIMBING  PLANTS. 

Value  of  this  kind  of  vegetation  ;  fine  natural  effects.  RemarKS  on  the 
proper  mode  of  introducing  vines.  Beautiful  effects  of  climbing  plants 
in  connection  with  buildings. 

SECTION  VII. 

TREATMENT  OF  GROUND — FORMATION  OF  "WALKS. 

Nature  of  operations  on  ground.  Treatment  of  flowing  and  of  irregular 
surfaces  to  heighten  their  expression.  Of  flats  or  level  surfaces.  Rocks 
as  materials  in  landscape.  Laying  out  roads  and  walks  ;  the  approach. 
Rules  by  Repton.  The  drive  and  minor  walks.  The  introduction  of 
fences.    Verdant  hedges. 

SECTION  VIII. 

TREATMENT  OF  WATER. 

Beautiful  effects  of  this  element  in  nature.  In  what  cases  it  is  desirable 
to  attempt  the  formation  of  artificial  pieces  of  water.  Regular  forms 
un pleasing.  Directions  for  the  formation  of  ponds  or  lakes  in  the  irreg- 
ular manner.  Study  of  natural  lakes.  Islands.  Planting  the  margin. 
Treatment  of  natural  brooks  and  rivulets.  Cascades  and  water-falls. 
Legitimate  sphere  of  the  art  in  this  department. 

SECTION  IX. 

LANDSCAPE  OR  RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 

Difference  between  a  city  and  country  house.  The  characteristic  fea- 
tures of  a  country  house.  Examination  of  the  leading  principles  in  Rural 
Architecture.  The  harmonious  union  of  buildings  and  scenery.  The 
different  styles.  The  Grecian  style.  Its  defects  for  domestic  purposes. 
The  Roman  style.  The  Italian  style.  Swiss  style.  The  pointed  or  Gothic 
style.  Castellated  buildings.  The  Tudor  mansion.  The  Elizabethan  style. 
The  old  English  cottage.    Entrance  lodges. 

SECTION  X. 

EMBELLISHMENTS  ;  ARCHITECTURAL,  RUSTIC,  AND  FLORAL. 

Value  of  a  proper  connection  between  the  house  and  grounds.  Beauty 
of  the  architectural  terrace,  and  its  application  to  villas  and  cottages. 
Use  of  vases  of  different  descriptions.  Architectural  flower-garden. 
Irregular  flower-garden.  French  flower-garden.  English  flower-garden. 
Mingled  flower-garden.  Selections  of  showy  plants,  flowering  in  succes- 
sion. Arrangement  of  the  shrubbery.  The  conservatory  and  green- 
house. Open  and  covered  seats.  Pavilions.  Prospect  towers.  Bridges. 
Rockwork.  Fountains  of  various  descriptions.  Judicious  introduction 
of  decorations. 


CONTENTS. 


XV 


APPENDIX. 

Notes  on  transplanting  trees.  Reasons  for  frequent  failures  in  removing 
large  trees.  Directions  for  performing  this  operation.  Preparing  trees 
for  removal.    Transplanting  evergreens. 

On  the  treatment  of  Lawns.    Use  of  machines  for  mowing  the  Lawn. 


SUPPLEMENT. 
SECTION  L 

Progress  of  Landscape  Gardening  since  Mr.  Downing's  death.  Forma- 
tion of  new  places.    Common  errors.    The  Lawn. 

SECTION  II. 

How  to  make  a  Country  Place.  Commencing  without  trees.  Com- 
mencing in  a  wood.  History  of  Wodenethk.  History  of  Wellksley. 
Italian  scenery. 

SECTION  III. 
The  newer  deciduous  ornamental  trees  and  shrubs. 

SECTION  IV. 

The  newer  half-hardy  Evergreen  trees  and  shrubs.  Acclimatizing  and 
employing  them.  Tabular  view  of  Hardihood  in  different  parts  of  the 
United  States. 

SECTION  V. 

Historical  notices.  Examples  of  Landscape  Gardening,  and  Rural 
Architecture  in  the  United  States. 

SECTION  VI. 

Historical  notices  continued.  Rural  Cemeteries.  Central  Park,  New 
York.    Llewellyn  Park,  New  Jersey.    Clinton  Park,  etc. 


INDEX. 


LIST    OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


ENGRAVINGS     ON  STEEL. 


Portrait  of  A.  J.  Downing.  Frontispiece, 

Pact-. 

PLATE    I.  Blithewood.   Eesidence  of  Eobt.  Donaldson,  Esq   IT 

II.  Wodenetiie.   Eesidence  of  II.  W.  Sargent,  Esq   425 

III.  Wellesley.   Eesidence  of  H.  II.  Hunnewell,  Esq   444 

IV.  French  Parterre  at  Wellesley   448 

Y.  Italian  Garden  at  Wellesley   452 

VI.  Llewellyn  Park.   Orange,  N.  J   5G8 


ENGRAVINGS      ON  WOOD. 


Page. 


Fig.  1.  View  at  H/de  Park   29 

2.  Manor  of  Livingston   29 

8.  irlon  tgomery  Place   81 

6.  Beaverwick   85 

7.  Eesidence  of  W.  H.  Aspin- 

wall   35 

S.  Belmont   38 

9.  Cottage  of  Mr.  Dunn   38 

10.  Residence  of  Mr.  Sheaff   42 

11.  Residence  of  Mrs.  Camac   42 

13.  Example  of  the  Beautiful....  58 

14.  Example  of  the  Picturesque.  58 
32.  The  European  Linden   143 

35.  The  Weeping  Larch   242 

36.  The  Magnolia   242 

37.  The  Picea  pectinata   257 

88.  The  Cedar  of  Lebanon   262 

18.  Eesidence  of  Mr.  Paulding..  344 

49.  Eesidence  of  A.  J.  Downing.  344 

50.  Residence  of  Mr.  Rathbone. .  347 

51.  Residence  of  Mr.  Lyon   347 

52.  Mansion  in  Elizab.  Stvle   347 

53.  Eesidence  of  Eev.  E.  Bolton.  347 


Page. 


Fig.  54.  Eesidence  of  T.  W.  Ludlow.  353 
55.  Eesidence  of  Washington 

Irving  353 

73.  Conservatory  at  Montgom- 
ery Place   391 

88.  View  from  Library,  Wo- 
denethe   437 

89.  View  from  Breakfast  Room, 

Wodenethe   440 

90.  View   Across    the  Park, 
Wodenethe   4451 

91.  The  Dwarf  Horse  Chestnut  459 

92.  The  Weeping  Elm  459 

93.  The  Weeping  Juniper   503 

94.  The  Scaled  juniper   503 

95.  Pinus  patula   521 

96.  Torreya   521 

97.  Rockwood   552 

101.  View  in  Central  Park   503 

102.  The  Same,  proposed  effect.  568 

103.  View  of  Water  Terrace  in 

Central  Park  565 

104.  Same,  before  improvement.  585 


ENGRAVINGS     ON  STONE. 


Fig.  98.  Plan  of  Central  Park  561 

99.  Original  Condition  of  the 

Grounds  561 

105.  Entrance  to  Llewellyn 

Park  570 


Fig.  106.  N.  W.  part  of  Llewellyn 

Park   570 

107.  Arcade  Cottage  Grounds. . .  573 

108.  Do.  Working  Plan...  .  573 


xvi 


ESSAY  ON  LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


SECTION  I. 

HISTORICAL  SKETCHES. 


Objects  of  the  Art.  Sketch  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Modern  style.  Influence 
of  the  English  poets  and  writers.  Examples  of  the  Art  abroad.  Landscape  Garden- 
ing in  North  America,  and  examples  now  existing. 


"  L'un  a  nos  yeux  presente 
D'un  dessein  regulier  l'ordonnance  imposante, 
Prete  aux  champs  des  beautes  qu'ils  ne  connaissaient  pas, 
D'une  pompe  etrangere  embellit  leur  appas, 
Donne  aux  arbres  des  lois,  aux  ondes  des  entraves, 
Et,  despote  orgueilleux,  brille  entoure  d'esclaves  ; 
Son  air  est  moins  riant  et  plus  majestueux 
U  autre,  de  la  nature  amant  respectueux, 
L'orne  sans  la  farder,  traite  avec  indulgence 
Ses  caprices  charmants,  sa  noble  negligence, 
Sa  marcbe  irreguliere,  et  fait  naitre  avec  art 
Des  beautes  du  dtsordre,  et  merae  du  hasard." 

Delille. 


U  R  first,  most 
endearing,  and 
most  sacred  associations,"  says  the  amiable  Mrs.  Holland, 
"  are  connected  with  gardens  ;  our  most  simple  and  most 


18  LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 

refined  perceptions  of  beauty  are  combined  with  them.' 
And  we  may  add  to  this,  that  Landscape  Gardening,  which 
is  an  artistical  combination  of  the  beautiful  in  nature  and 
art — an  union  of  natural  expression  and  harmonious  culti- 
vation— is  capable  of  affording  us  the  highest  and  most  in- 
tellectual enjoyment  to  be  found  in  any  cares  or  pleasures 
belonging  to  the  soil. 

The  development  of  the  Beautiful  is  the  end  and  aim  of 
Landscape  Gardening,  as  it  is  of  all  other  fine  arts.  The 
ancients  sought  to  attain  this  by  a  studied  and  elegant 
regularity  of  design  in  their  gardens  ;  the  moderns,  by  the 
creation  or  improvement  of  grounds  which,  though  of  limit- 
ed extent,  exhibit  a  highly  graceful  or  picturesque  epitome 
of  natural  beauty.  Landscape  Gardening  differs  from  gar- 
dening in  its  common  sense,  in  embracing  the  whole  scene 
immediately  about  a  country  house,  which  it  softens  and 
refines,  or  renders  more  spirited  and  striking  by  the  aid  of 
art.  In  it  we  seek  to  embody  our  ideal  of  a  rural  home  ; 
not  through  plots  of  fruit  trees,  and  beds  of  choice  flowers, 
though  these  have  their  place,  but  by  collecting  and  combin- 
ing beautiful  forms  in  trees,  surfaces  of  ground,  buildings, 
and  walks,  in  the  landscape  surrounding  us.  It  is,  in  short, 
the  Beautiful,  embodied  in  a  home  scene.  And  we  attain 
it  by  the  removal  or  concealment  of  everything  uncouth 
and  discordant,  and  by  the  introduction  and  preservation  of 
forms  pleasing  in  their  expression,  their  outlines,  and  their 
fitness  for  the  abode  of  man.  In  the  orchard,  we  hope  to 
gratify  the  palate  ;  in  the  flower  garden,  the  eye  and  the 
smell ;  but  in  the  landscape  garden  we  appeal  to  that  sense 
of  the  Beautiful  and  the  Perfect,  which  is  one  of  the  high- 
est attributes  of  our  nature. 

This  embellishment  of  nature,  which  we  call  Landscape 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


19 


Gardening,  springs  naturally  from  a  love  of  country  life, 
an  attachment  to  a  certain  spot,  and  a  desire  to  render 
that  place  attractive — a  feeling  which  seems  more  or  less 
strongly  fixed  in  the  minds  of  all  men.  But  we  should 
convey  a  false  impression,  were  we  to  state  that  it  may  be 
applied  with  equal  success  to  residences  of  every  class  and 
size,  in  the  country.  Lawn  and  trees,  being  its  two  essen- 
tial elements,  some  of  the  beauties  of  Landscape  Gardening 
may,  indeed,  be  shown  wherever  a  rood  of  grass  surface, 
and  half  a  dozen  trees  are  within  our  reach  ;  we  may,  even 
with  such  scanty  space,  have  tasteful  grouping,  varied  sur- 
face, and  agreeably  curved  walks ;  but  our  art,  to  appear 
to  advantage,  requires  some  extent  of  surface — its  lines 
should  lose  themselves  indefinitely,  and  unite  agreeably  and 
gradually  with  those  of  the  surrounding  country. 

In  the  case  of  large  landed  estates,  its  capabilities  may 
be  displayed  to  their  full  extent,  as  from  fifty  to  five  hun- 
dred acres  may  be  devoted  to  a  park  or  pleasure  grounds. 
Most  of  its  beauty,  and  all  its  charms,  may,  however,  be 
enjoyed  in  ten  or  twenty  acres,  fortunately  situated,  and 
well  treated  ;  and  Landscape  Gardening,  in  America,  com- 
bined and  working  in  harmony  as  it  is  with  our  fine 
scenery,  is  already  beginning  to  ^ive  us  results  scarcely  less 
beautiful  than  those  produced  by  its  finest  efforts  abroad. 
The  lovely  villa  residences  of  our  noble  river  and  lake 
margins,  when  well  treated — even  in  a  few  acres  of  taste- 
ful fore-ground, — seem  so  entirely  to  appropriate  the  whole 
adjacent  landscape,  and  to  mingle  so  sweetly  in  their  out- 
lines with  the  woods,  the  valleys,  and  shores  around  them, 
that  the  effects  are  often  truly  enchanting. 

But  if  Landscape  Gardening,  in  its  proper  sense,  cannot 
be  applied  to  the  embellishment  of  the  smallest  cottage 


20 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


residences  in  the  country,  its  principles  may  be  studied 
with  advantage,  even  by  him  who  has  only  three  trees  to 
plant  for  ornament ;  and  we  hope  no  one  will  think  his 
grounds  too  small,  to  feel  willing  to  add  something  to  the 
general  amount  of  beauty  in  the  country.  If  the  possessor 
of  the  cottage  acre  would  embellish  in  accordance  with 
propriety,  he  must  not,  as  we  have  sometimes  seen,  rendei 
the  whole  ridiculous  by  aiming  at  ambitious  and  costly  em- 
bellishments ;  but  he  will  rather  seek  to  delight  us  by  the 
good  taste  evinced  in  the  tasteful  simplicity  of  the  whole 
arrangement.  And  if  the  proprietors  of  our  country  villas, 
in  their  improvements,  are  more  likely  to  run  into  any  one 
error  than  another,  we  fear  it  will  be  that  of  too  great  a 
desire  for  display — too  many  vases,  temples,  and  seats, — 
and  too  little  purity  and  simplicity  of  general  effect. 

The  inquiring  reader  will  perhaps  be  glad  to  have  a 
glance  at  the  history  and  progress  of  the  art  of  tasteful 
gardening  ;  a  recurrence  to  which,  as  well  as  to  the  history 
of  the  fine  arts,  will  afford  abundant  proof  that,  in  the  first 
stage  or  infancy  of  all  these  arts,  while  the  perception  of 
their  ultimate  capabilities  is  yet  crude  and  imperfect,  man- 
kind  has,  in  every  instance,  been  completely  satisfied  with 
the  mere  exhibition  of  design  or  art.  Thus  in  Sculpture 
the  first  statues  were  only  attempts  to  imitate  rudely  the 
form  of  a  human  figure,  or  in  painting,  to  represent  that  of 
a  tree :  the  skill  of  the  artist,  in  effecting  an  imitation  suc- 
cessfully, being  sufficient  to  excite  the  astonishment  and 
admiration  of  those  who  had  not  yet  made  such  advances 
as  to  enable  them  o  appreciate  the  superior  beauty  of 
expression. 

Landscape  Gardening  is,  indeed,  only  a  modern  word, 
first  coined,  we  believe,  by  Shenstone. 


HISTOKICAL  NOTICES. 


21 


The  most  distinguished  English  Landscape  Gardeners 
of  recent  date,  are  the  late  Humphrey  Repton,  who  died  in 
1818;  and  since  him  John  Claudius  Loudon  better  known 
in  this  country,  as  the  celebrated  gardening  author.  Repton's 
taste  in  Landscape  gardening  was  cultivated  and  elegant, 
and  many  of  the  finest  parks  and  pleasure  grounds  of 
England,  at  the  present  day,  bear  witness  to  the  skill  and 
harmony  of  his  designs.  His  published  works  are  full  of 
instructive  hints,  and  at  Cobham  Hall,  one  of  the  finest 
seats  in  Britain,  is  an  inscription  to  his  memory,  by  Lord 
Darnley. 

Mr.  Loudon's*  writings  and  labors  in  tasteful  gardening, 
are  too  well  known,  to  render  it  necessary  that  we  should 
do  more  than  allude  to  them  here.  Much  of  what  is  known 
of  the  art  in  this  country  undoubtedly  is,  more  or  less 
directly,  to  be  referred  to  the  influence  of  his  published 
works.  Although  he  is,  as  it  seems  to  us,  somewhat 
deficient  as  an  artist  in  imagination,  no  previous  author 
ever  deduced,  so  clearly,  sound  artistical  principles  in  Land- 
scape Gardening  and  Rural  Architecture  ;  and  fitness,  good 
sense,  and  beauty,  are  combined  with  much  unity  of  feeling 
in  all  his  works. 

As  the  modern  style  owes  its  origin  mainly  to  the 
English,  so  it  has  also  been  developed  and  carried  to  its 
greatest  perfection  in  the  British  Islands.  The  law  of 
primogeniture,  which  has  there  so  long  existed,  in  itself, 
contributes  greatly  to  the  continual  improvement  and 
embellishment  of  those  vast  landed  estates,  that  remain 
perpetually  in  the  hands  of  the  same  family.  Magnificent 

*  While  we  are  revising  the  second  edition,  we  regret  deeply  to  learn  the  death 
of  Mr.  Loudon.  His  herculean  labors  as  an  author  have  at  last  destroyed  him ; 
ind  in  his  death  we  lose  one  who  has  done  more  than  any  other  person  that 
ever  lived,  to  popularize,  and  render  universal,  a  taste  for  Gardening  and 
Domestic  Architecture. 


22 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


buildings,  added  to  by  each  succeeding  generation,  who 
often  preserve  also  the  older  portions  with  the  most 
scrupulous  care ;  wide  spread  parks,  clothed  with  a  thick 
velvet  turf,  which,  amid  their  moist  atmosphere,  preserves 
during  great  part  of  the  year  an  emerald  greenness — 
studded  with  noble  oaks  and  other  forest  trees  which 
number  centuries  of  growth  and  maturity ;  these  advan- 
tages, in  the  hands  of  the  most  intelligent  and  the 
wealthiest  aristocracy  in  the  world,  have  indeed  made 
almost  an  entire  landscape  garden  of  "  merry  England." 
Among  a  multitude  of  splendid  examples  of  these  noble 
residences,  we  will  only  refer  the  reader  to  the  celebrated 
Blenheim,  the  seat  of  the  Duke  of  Marlborough,  where 
the  lake  alone  (probably  the  largest  piece  of  artificial 
water  in  the  world)  covers  a  surface  of  two  hundred  acres : 
Chatsworth,  the  varied  and  magnificent  seat  of  the  Duke 
of  Devonshire,  where  there  are  scenes  illustrative  of  almost 
every  style  of  the  art :  and  Woburn  Abbey,  the  grounds 
of  which  are  full  of  the  choicest  specimens  of  trees  and 
plants,  and  where  the  park,  like  that  of  Ashbridge, 
Arundel  Castle,  and  several  other  private  residences  in 
England,  is  only  embraced  within  a  circumference  of  fron" 
ten  to  twenty  miles. 

On  the  continent  of  Europe,  though  there  are  a  multi- 
tude of  examples  of  the  modern  style  of  landscape 
gardening,  which  is  there  called  the  English  or  natural 
style,  yet  in  the  neighborhood  of  many  of  the  capitals, 
especially  those  of  the  south  of  Europe,  the  taste  for 
the  geometric  or  ancient  style  of  gardening  still  prevails 
to  a  considerable  extent ;  partially,  no  doubt,  because  that 
style  admits,  with  more  facility,  of  those  classical  and 
architectural  accompaniments  of  vases,  statues,  busts,  etc.. 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


23 


the  passion  for  which  pervades  a  people  rich  in  ancient  and 
modeirt  sculptural  works  of  art.  Indeed  many  of  the 
gardens  on  the  continent  are  more  striking  from  their 
numerous  sculpturesque  ornaments,  interspersed  with 
fountains  and  jets-d'eau,  than  from  the  beauty  or  rarity 
of  their  vegetation,  or  from  their  arrangement. 

In  the  United  States,  it  is  highly  improbable  that  we 
shall  ever  witness  such  splendid  examples  of  landscape 
gardens  as  those  abroad,  to  which  we  have  alluded.  Here 
the  rights  of  man  are  held  to  be  equal ;  and  if  there  are 
no  enormous  parks,  and  no  class  of  men  whose  wealth  is 
hereditary,  there  is,  at  least,  what  is  more  gratifying  to 
the  feelings  of  the  philanthropist,  the  almost  entire  absence 
of  a  very  poor  class  in  the  country ;  while  we  have,  on 
the  other  hand,  a  large  class  of  independent  landholders, 
who  are  able  to  assemble  around  them,  not  only  the  useful 
and  convenient,  but  the  agreeable  and  beautiful,  in  country 
life. 

The  number  of  individuals  among  us  who  possess  wealth 
and  refinement  sufficient  to  enable  them  to  enjoy  the 
pleasures  of  a  country  life,  and  who  desire  in  their  private 
residences  so  much  of  the  beauties  of  landscape  gardening 
and  rural  embellishment  as  may  be  had  without  any 
enormous  expenditure  of  means,  is  every  day  increasing. 
And  although,  until  lately,  a  very  meagre  plan  of  laying 
out  the  grounds  of  a  residence,  was  all  that  we  could  lay 
claim  to,  yet  the  taste  for  elegant  rural  improvements  is 
advancing  now  so  rapidly,  that  we  have  no  hesitation  in 
predicting  that  in  half  a  century  more,  there  will  exist  a 
greater  number  of  beautiful  villas  and  country  seats  of 
moderate  extent,  in  the  Atlantic  States,  than  in  any 
country  in  Europe,  England  alone  excepted.    With  us,  a 


24 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


feeling,  a  taste,  or  an  improvement,  is  contagious  ;  and 
once  fairly  appreciated  and  established  in  one  portion  of 
the  country,  it  is  disseminated  with  a  celerity  that  is 
indeed  wonderful,  to  every  other  portion.  And  though  it 
is  necessarily  the  case  where  amateurs  of  any  art  are 
more  numerous  than  its  professors,  that  there  will  be,  in 
devising  and  carrying  plans  into  execution,  many  specimens 
of  bad  taste,  and  perhaps  a  sufficient  number  of  efforts  tc 
improve  without  any  real  taste  whatever,  still  we  are 
convinced  the  effect  of  our  rural  embellishments  will  in 
the  end  be  highly  agreeable,  as  a  false  taste  is  not  likely 
to  be  a  permanent  one  in  a  community  where  everything 
is  so  much  the  subject  of  criticism. 

With  regard  to  the  literature  and  practice  of  Landscape 
Gardening  as  an  art,  in  North  America,  almost  everything 
is  yet  before  us,  comparatively  little  having  yet  been 
done.  Almost  all  the  improvements  of  the  grounds  of  our 
finest  country  residences,  have  been  carried  on  under  the 
direction  of  the  proprietors  themselves,  suggested  by  their 
own  good  taste,  in  many  instances  improved  by  the  study 
of  European  authors,  or  by  a  personal  inspection  of  the 
finest  places  abroad.  The  only  American  work  previously 
published  which  treats  directly  of  Landscape  Gardening, 
is  the  American  Gardener  s  Calendar,  by  Bernard 
McMahon  of  Philadelphia.  The  only  practitioner  of  the 
art,  of  any  note,  was  the  late  M.  Parmentier  of  Brooklyn, 
Long  Island. 

M.  Andre  Parmentier  was  the  brother  of  that  celebrated 
horticulturist,  the  Chevalier  Parmentier,  Mayor  of  Enghien, 
Holland.  He  emigrated  to  this  country  about  the  year 
1824,  and  in  the  Horticultural  Nurseries  which  he  esta- 
blished at  Brooklyn,  he  gave  a  specimen  of  the  naturaj 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


2: 


Ktyle  of  laying  out  grounds,  combined  with  a  scientific 
arrangement  of  plants,  which  excited  public  curiosity,  and 
contributed  not  a  little  to  the  dissemination  of  a  taste  for 
the  natural  mode  of  landscape  gardening. 

During  M.  Parmentier's  residence  on  Long  Island,  he 
was  almost  constantly  applied  to  for  plans  for  laying  out 
the  grounds  of  country  seats,  by  persons  in  various  parts 
of  the  Union,  as  well  as  in  the  immediate  proximity  of 
New  York.  In  many  cases  he  not  only  surveyed  the 
demesne  to  be  improved,  but  furnished  the  plants  and 
trees  necessary  to  carry  out  his  designs.  Several  plans 
were  prepared  by  him  for  residences  of  note  in  the  South- 
ern States  ;  and  two  or  three  places  in  Upper  Canada, 
especially  near  Montreal,  were,  we  believe,  laid  out  by  his 
own  hands  and  stocked  from  his  nursery  grounds.  In  his 
periodical  catalogue,  he  arranged  the  hardy  trees  and 
shrubs  that  flourish  in  this  latitude  in  classes,  according  to 
their  height,  etc.,  and  published  a  short  treatise  on  the 
superior  claims  of  the  natural,  over  the  formal  or  geome- 
tric style  of  laying  out  grounds.  In  short,  we  consider  M 
Parmentier's  labors  and  examples  as  having  effected, 
directly,  far  more  for  landscape  gardening  in  America, 
than  those  of  any  other  individual  whatever. 

The  introduction  of  tasteful  gardening  in  this  country 
is,  of  course,  of  a  very  recent  date.  But  so  long  ago  as 
from  25  to  50  years,  there  were  several  country  residences 
highly  remarkable  for  extent,  elegance  of  arrangement, 
and  the  highest  order  and  keeping.  Among  these,  we 
desire  especially  to  record  here  the  celebrated  seats  of 
Chancellor  Livingston,  Wm.  Hamilton,  Esq.,  Theodore 
Lyman,  Esq.,  and  Judge  Peters. 

Woodlands,  the    seat  of  the  Hamilton  family,  near 


26 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Philadelphia,  was,  so  long  ago  as  1805,  highly  celebrated 
for  its  gardening  beauties.  The  refined  taste  and  the 
wealth  of  its  accomplished  owner,  were  freely  lavished  in 
its  improvement  and  embellishment ;  and  at  a  time  when 
the  introduction  of  rare  exotics  was  attended  with  a  vast 
deal  of  risk  and  trouble,  the  extensive  green-houses  and 
orangeries  of  this  seat  contained  all  the  richest  treasures 
of  the  exotic  flora,  and  among  other  excellent  gardeners 
employed,  was  the  distinguished  botanist  Pursh,  whose 
enthusiastic  taste  in  his  favorite  science  was  promoted  and 
aided  by  Mr.  Hamilton.  The  extensive  pleasure  grounds 
were  judiciously  planted,  singly  and  in  groups,  with  a 
great  variety  of  the  finest  species  of  trees.  The  attention 
of  the  visitor  to  this  place  is  now  arrested  by  two  very 
large  specimens  of  that  curious  tree,  the  Japanese  Ginko 
(Salisburia),  GO  or  70  feet  high,  perhaps  the  finest  in 
Europe  or  America,  by  the  noble  magnolias,  and  the  rich 
park-like  appearance  of  some  of  the  plantations  of  the 
finest  native  and  foreign  oaks.  From  the  recent  un- 
healthiness  of  this  portion  of  the  Schuylkill,  Woodlands 
has  fallen  into  decay,  but  there  can  be  no  question  that  it 
was,  for  a  long  time,  the  most  tasteful  and  beautiful 
residence  in  America. 

The  seat  of  the  late  Judge  Peters,  about  five  miles  from 
Philadelphia,  was,  30  years  ago,  a  noted  specimen  of  the 
ancient  school  of  landscape  gardening.  Its  proprietor  had 
a  most  extended  reputation  as  a  scientific  agriculturist, 
and  his  place  was  also  no  less  remarkable  for  the  design 
and  culture  of  its  pleasure-grounds,  than  for  the  excellence 
of  its  farm.  Long  and  stately  avenues,  with  vistas 
terminated  by  obelisks,  a  garden  adorned  with  marble 
vases,  busts,  and  statues,  and  pleasure  grounds  filled  with 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


27 


the  rarest  trees  and  shrubs,  were  conspicuous  features 
here.  Some  of  the  latter  are  now  so  remarkable  as  to 
attract  strongly  the  attention  of  the  visitor.  Among 
them,  is  the  chestnut  planted  by  Washington,  which 
produces  the  largest  and  finest  fruit ;  very  large  hollies ; 
and  a  curious  old  box-tree  much  higher  than  the  mansion 
near  which  it  stands.  But  the  most  striking  feature  now, 
is  the  still  remaining  grand  old  avenue  of  hemlocks  (Abies 
canadensis).  Many  of  these  trees,  which  were  planted 
100  years  ago,  are  now  venerable  specimens,  ninety  feet 
high,  whose  huge  trunks  and  wide  spread  branches  are  in 
many  cases  densely  wreathed  and  draped  with  masses  of 
English  Ivy,  forming  the  most  picturesque  sylvan  objects 
we  ever  beheld. 

Lemon  Hill,  half  a  mile  above  the  Fairmount  water- 
works of  Philadelphia,  was,  20  years  ago,  the  most  perfect 
specimen  of  the  geometric  mode  in  America,  and  since  its 
destruction  by  the  extension  of  the  city.,  a  few  years  since, 
there  is  nothing  comparable  with  it,  in  that  style,  among 
us.  All  the  symmetry,  uniformity,  and  high  art  of  the 
old  school,  were  displayed  here  in  artificial  plantations, 
formal  gardens  with  trellises,  grottoes,  spring-houses, 
temples,  statues,  and  vases,  with  numerous  ponds  of  water, 
jets-d'eau,  and  other  water-works,  parterres  and  an  exten- 
sive range  of  hothouses.  The  effect  of  this  garden  was 
brilliant  and  striking ;  its  position,  on  the  lovely  banks  of 
the  Schuylkill,  admirable;  and  its  liberal  proprietor,  Mr, 
Pratt,  by  opening  it  freely  to  the  public,  greatly  increased 
the  popular  taste  in  the  neighborhood  of  that  city. 

On  the  Hudson,  the  show  place  of  the  last  age  was  the 
still  interesting  Clermont,  then  the  residence  of  Chancellor 
Livingston.    Its  level  or  gently  undulating  lawn,  four  or 


28 


.LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


five  miles  in  length,  the  rich  native  woods,  and  the  long 
vistas  of  planted  avenues,  added  to  its  fine  water  view, 
rendered  this  a  noble  place.  The  mansion,  the  green- 
houses, and  the  gardens,  show  something  of  the  French 
taste  in  design,  which  Mr.  Livingston's  residence  abroad, 
at  the  time  when  that  mode  was  popular,  no  doubt,  led 
him  to  adopt.  The  finest  yellow  locusts  in  America  are 
now  standing  in  the  pleasure-grounds  here,  and  the 
gardens  contain  many  specimens  of  fruit  trees,  the  first  of 
their  sorts  introduced  into  the  Union. 

Waltham  House,  about  nine  miles  from  Boston,  was,  25 
years  ago,  one  of  the  oldest  and  finest  places,  as  regards 
Landscape  Gardening.  Its  owner,  the  late  Hon.  T. 
Lyman,  was  a  highly-accomplished  man,  and  the  grounds 
at  Waltham  House  bear  witness  to  a  refined  and  elegant 
taste  in  rural  improvement.  A  fine  level  park,  a  mile  in 
length,  enriched  with  groups  of  English  limes,  elms,  and 
oaks,  and  rich  masses  of  native  wood,  watered  by  a  fine 
stream  and  stocked  with  deer,  were  the  leading  features 
of  the  place  at  that  time ;  and  this,  and  Woodlands,  were 
the  two  best  specimens  of  the  modern  style,  as  Judge 
Peters'  seat,  Lemon  Hill,  and  Clermont,  were  of  the  an- 
cient style,  in  the  earliest  period  of  the  history  of  Land- 
scape Gardening  among  us. 

There  is  no  part  of  the  Union  where  the  taste  in  Land- 
scape Gardening  is  so  far  advanced,  as  on  the  middle  por- 
tion of  the  Hudson.  The  natural  scenery  is  of  the  finest 
character,  and  places  but  a  mile  or  two  apart  often 
possess,  from  the  constantly  varying  forms  of  the  water, 
shores,  and  distant  hills,  widely  different  kinds  of  home 
landscape  and  distant  view.  Standing  in  the  grounds  of 
some  of  the  finest  of  these  seats,  the  eye  beholds  only  the 


Yui.  1.— View  in  the  Grounds  at  Hyde  Park. 


Fig.  2.-rThe  Manor  of  Livingston. 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


29 


soft  foreground  of  smooth  lawn,  the  rich  groups  of  trees 
shutting  out  all  neighboring  tracts,  the  lake-like  expanse 
of  water,  and,  closing  the  distance,  a  fine  range  of  wooded 
mountain.  A  residence  here  of  but  a  hundred  acres,  so 
fortunately  are  these  disposed  by  nature,  seems  to  appro- 
priate the  whole  scenery  round,  and  to  be  a  thousand  in 
extent. 

At  the  present  time,  our  handsome  villa  residences  are 
becoming  every  day  more  numerous,  and  it  would  require 
much  more  space  than  our  present  limits,  to  enumerate 
all  the  tasteful  rural  country  places  within  our  knowledge, 
many  of  which  have  been  newly  laid  out,  or  greatly  im- 
proved within  a  few  years.  But  we  consider  it  so  im- 
portant and  instructive  to  the  novice  in  the  art  of  Land- 
scape Gardening  to  examine,  personally,  country  seats  of 
a  highly  tasteful  character,  that  we  shall  venture  to  refer 
the  reader  to  a  few  of  those  which  have  now  a  reputation 
among  us  as  elegant  country  residences. 

Hyde  Park,  on  the  Hudson,  formerly  the  seat  of  the  late 
Dr.  Hosack,  now  of  W.  Langdon,  Esq.,  has  been  justly 
celebrated  as  one  of  the  finest  specimens  of  the  modern 
style  of  Landscape  Gardening  in  America.  Nature  has, 
indeed,  done  much  for  this  place,  as  the  grounds  are  finely 
varied,  beautifully  watered  by  a  lively  stream,  and  the 
views  are  inexpressibly  striking  from  the  neighborhood  of 
the  house  itself,  including,  as  they  do,  the  noble  Hudson 
for  sixty  miles  in  its  course,  through  rich  valleys  and  bold 
mountains.  (See  Fig.  1.)  But  the  efforts  of  art  are  not 
unworthy  so  rare  a  locality  ;  and  while  the  native  woods, 
and  beautifully  undulating  surface,  are  preserved  in  their 
original  state,  the  pleasure-grounds,  roads,  walks,  drives 
and  new  plantations,  have  been  laid  out  in  such  a  judi- 


30 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


cious  manner  as  to  heighten  the  charms  of  nature.  Large 
and  costly  hot-houses  were  erected  by  Dr.  Hosack,  with 
also  entrance  lodges  at  two  points  on  the  estate,  a  fine 
bridge  over  the  stream,  and  numerous  pavilions  and  seats 
commanding  extensive  prospects ;  in  short,  nothing  was 
spared  to  render  this  a  complete  residence.  The  park, 
which  at  one  time  contained  some  fine  deer,  afforded  a  de- 
lightful drive  within  itself,  as  the  whole  estate  numbered 
about  seven  hundred  acres.  The  plans  for  laying  out  the 
grounds  were  furnished  by  Parmentier,  and  architects  from 
New  York  were  employed  in  designing  and  erecting  the 
buildings.  For  a  long  time,  this  was  the  finest  seat  in 
America,  but  there  are  now  many  rivals  to  this  claim. 

The  Manor  of  Livingston,  lately  the  seat  of  Mrs.  Mary 
Livingston  (but  now  of  Jacob  Le  Roy,  Esq.),  is  seven 
miles  east  of  the  city  of  Hudson.  The  mansion  stands 
in  the  midst  of  a  fine  park,  rising  gradually  from  the 
level  of  a  rich  inland  country,  and  commanding  prospects 
for  sixty  miles  around.  The  park  is,  perhaps,  the  most 
remarkable  in  America,  for  the  noble  simplicity  of  its 
character,  and  the  perfect  order  in  which  it  is  kept.  The 
turf  is,  everywhere,  short  and  velvet-like,  the  gravel-roads 
scrupulously  firm  and  smooth,  and  near  the  house  are  the 
largest  and  most  superb  evergreens.  The  mansion  is  one 
of  the  chastest  specimens  of  the  Grecian  st}Tle,  and  there 
is  an  air  of  great  dignity  about  the  whole  demesne. 

Blithewood,  formerly  the  seat  of  R.  Donaldson,  Esq., 
(now  John  Bard,  Esq.),  near  Barry  town,  on  the  Hudson, 
is  one  of  the  most  charming  villa  residences  in  the 
Union.  The  natural  scenery  here,  is  nowhere  sur- 
passed in  its  enchanting  union  of  softness  and  dignity 
— the  river  being  four  miles  wide,  its  placid  bosom 
broken  only  by  islands  and  gleaming  sails,  and  the  horizon 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


31 


grandly  closing  in  with  the  tall  blue  summits  of  me  distant 
Kaatskills.  The  smiling,  gently  varied  lawn  is  studded 
with  groups  and  masses  of  fine  forest  and  ornamental 
trees,  beneath  which  are  walks  leading  in  easy  curves  to 
rustic  seats,  and  summer  houses  placed  in  secluded  spots, 
or  to  openings  affording  most  loveiy  prospects.  (See 
Frontispiece.)  In  various  situations  near  the  house  and 
upon  the  lawn,  sculptured  vases  of  Maltese  stone  are  alsc 
disposed  in  such  a  manner  as  to  give  a  refined  and  classic 
air  to  the  grounds. 

As  a  pendant  to  this  graceful  landscape,  there  is  within 
the  grounds  scenery  of  an  opposite  character,  equally  wild 
and  picturesque — a  fine,  bold  stream,  fringed  with  woody 
banks,  and  dashing  over  several  rocky  cascades,  thirty  or 
forty  feet  in  height,  and  falling  altogether  a  hundred  feet 
in  a  distance  of  half  a  mile.  There  are  also,  within  the 
grounds,  a  pretty  gardener's  lodge,  in  the  rural  cottage 
style,  and  a  new  entrance  lodge  by  the  gate,  in  the 
bracketed  mode  ;  in  short,  we  can  recall  no  place  of 
moderate  extent,  where  nature  and  tasteful  art  are  both 
so  harmoniously  combined  to  express  grace  and  elegance. 

Montgomery  Place,  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Edward 
Livingston,  which  is  also  situated  on  the  Hudson,  near 
Barrytown,  deserves  a  more  extended  notice  than  our 
present  limits  allow,  for  it  is,  as  a  whole,  nowhere  sur- 
passed in  America,  in  point  of  location,  natural  beauty,  or 
the  landscape  gardening  charms  which  it  exhibits. 

It  is  one  of  our  oldest  improved  country  seats,  having 
been  originally  the  residence  of  Gen.  Montgomery,  the  hero 
of  Quebec.  On  the  death  of  his  widow  it  passed  into  the 
hands  of  her  brother,  Edward  Livingston,  Esq.,  the  late 
minister  to  France,  and  up  to  the  present  moment  has 


32 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


always  received  the  most  tasteful  and  judicious  treat, 
•nent. 

The  lover  of  the  expressive  in  nature,  or  the  beautiful  in 
art,  will  find  here  innumerable  subjects  for  his  study. 
The  natural  scenery  in  many  portions  approaches  the  cha- 
racter of  grandeur,  and  the  foreground  of  rich  woods  and 
lawns,  stretching  out  on  all  sides  of  the  mountain,  completes 
a  home  landscape  of  dignified  and  elegant  seclusion,  rarely 
surpassed  in  any  country. 

Among  the  fine  features  of  this  estate  are  the  wilder- 
ness, a  richly  wTooded  and  highly  picturesque  valley,  filled 
with  the  richest  growth  of  trees,  and  threaded  with  dark, 
intricate,  and  mazy  walks,  along  which  are   placed  a 

variety  of  rustic 
seats  (Fig.  4). 
This  valley  is 
musical  with  the 
sound  of  water- 
falls, of  which 
there  are  severai 
fine  ones  in  the 
bold  impetuous 
stream  which 
finds  its  course 
through  the  low- 

[Fig.  4.   One  of  the  Rustic  Seats  at  Montgomery  Place.]      er      Par^     of  the 

wilderness.  Near  the  further  end  of  the  valley  is  a  beauti- 
ful lake  (Fig.  5),  half  of  which  lies  cool  and  dark  under  the 
shadow  of  tall  trees,  while  the  other  half  gleams  in  the 
open  sunlight. 

In  a  part  of  the  lawn,  near  the  house,  yet  so  surrounded 
by  a  dark  setting  of  trees  and  shrubs  as  to  form  a  rich 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


33 


picture  by  itself,  is  one  of  the  most  perfect  flower  gardens 
in  the  country,  laid  out  in  the  arabesque  manner,  and  glow- 
ing with  masses  of  the  gayest  colors — each  bed  being  com- 
posed wholly  of  a  single  hue.  A  large  conservatory,  an 
exotic  garden,  an  arboretum,  etc.,  are  among  the  features 
of  interest  in  this  admirable  residence.  Including  a  drive 
through  a  fine  bit  of  natural  wood,  south  of  the  mansio'n, 
there  are  five  miles  of  highly  varied  and  picturesque  pri- 
vate roads  and  walks,  through  the  pleasure-grounds  of 
Montgomery  Place. 


[Fig.  5.    The  Lake  tit  Montgomery  Place.] 


EUerslie  is  the  seat  of  William  Kelly,  Esq.  It  is  three 
miles  below  Rhinebeck.  It  comprises  over  six  hundred 
acres,  and  is  one  of  our  finest  examples  of  high  keeping, 
and  good  management,  both  in  an  ornamental  and  an 
agricultural  point  of  view.  The  house  is  conspicuously 
placed  on  a  commanding  natural  terrace,  with  a  fair  fore- 
ground of  park  surface  below  it,  studded  with  beautiful 

groups  of  elms  and  oaks,  and  a  very  fine  reach  of  river  and 

3 


34 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


distant  hills.  This  is  one  of  the  most  celebrated  places  on 
the  Hudson,  and  there  are  few  that  so  well  pay  tiie  lover 
of  improved  landscape  for  a  visit. 

Just  below  Ellerslie  are  the  fine  mansion  and  pleasing 
grounds  of  Wm.  Emmet,  Esq., — the  former  a  stone  edifice, 
in  the  castellated  style,  and  the  latter  forming  a  most 
agreeable  point  on  the  margin  of  the  river. 

The  seat  of  Mrs.  Gardiner  Howland,  near  "New  Ham- 
burgh, is  not  only  beautiful  in  situation,  but  is  laid  out 
with  great  care,  and  is  especially  remarkable  for  the 
many  rare  trees  and  shrubs  collected  in  its  grounds. 

Wodenethe,  near  Fishkill  landing,  is  the  seat  of  H.  W. 
Sargent,  Esq.,  and  is  a  bijou  full  of  interest  for  the  lover 
of  rural  beauty  ;  abounding  in  rare  trees,  shrubs,  and 
plants,  as  well  as  vases,  and  objects  of  rural  embellish- 
ment of  all  kinds. 

Kenwood,  formerly  the  residence  of  J.  Rathbone,  Esq., 
is  one  mile  south  of  Albany.  Ten  years  ago  this  spot  was  a 
wild  and  densely  wooded  hill,  almost  inaccessible.  With 
great  taste  and  industry  Mr.  Rathbone  has  converted  it 
into  a  country  residence  of  much  picturesque  beauty, 
erected  in  the  Tudor  style,  one  of  the  best  villas  in  the 
country,  with  a  gate-lodge  in  the  same  mode,  and  laid  out 
the  grounds  with  remarkable  skill  and  good  taste.  There 
are  about  1200  acres  in  this  estate,  and  pleasure  grounds, 
forcing  houses,  and  gardens,  are  now  flourishing  where  ail 
was  so  lately  in  the  rudest  state  of  nature ;  while,  by  the 
judicious  preservation  of  natural  wood,  the  effect  of  a  long 
cultivated  demesne  has  been  given  to  the  whole. 

The  Manor  House  of  the  "  Patroon"  (as  the  eldest  son 
of  the  Van  Rensselaer  family  is  called)  is  in  the  northern 
suburbs  of  the  city  of  Albany.     The  mansion,  greatly 


Pig.  7.— Cottage  Residence  of  Wm.  II.  Aspinwall,  Esq. 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


33 


enlarged  and  improved  a  few  years  since,  from  the  designs 
of  Upjohn,  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  admirable  in  all 
respects,  to  be  found  in  the  country,  and  the  pleasure- 
grounds  in  the  rear  of  the  house  are  tasteful  and  beau- 
tiful. 

Beaverwyck,  a  little  north  of  Albany,  on  the  opposite 
bank  of  the  river,  was  formerly  the  seat  of  Win.  P.  Van 
Rensselaer,  Esq.  The  whole  estate  is  ten  or  twelve  miles 
square,  including  the  village  of  Bath  on  the  river  shore, 
and  a  large  farming  district.  The  home  residence  em- 
braces several  hundred  acres,  with  a  large  level  lawn, 
bordered  by  highly  varied  surface  of  hill  and  dale.  The 
mansion,  one  of  the  first  class,  is  newly  erected  from  the 
plans  of  Mr.  Diaper,  and  in  its  interior — its  hall  with 
mosaic  floor  of  polished  woods,  its  marble  staircase, 
frescoed  apartments,  and  spacious  adjoining  conservatory 
■ — is  perhaps  the  most  splendid  in  the  Union.  The  grounds 
are  yet  newly  laid  out,  but  with  much  judgment ;  and  six 
or  seven  miles  of  winding  gravelled  roads  and  walks  have 
been  formed — their  boundaries  now  leading  over  level 
meadows,  and  now  winding  through  woody  dells.  The 
drives  thus  afforded,  are  almost  unrivalled  in  extent  and 
variety,  and  give  the  stranger  or  guest,  an  opportunity  of 
seeing  the  near  and  distant  views  to  the  best  advantage. 

At  Tarrytown,  is  the  cottage  residence  of  Washington 
Irving,  which  is,  in  location  and  accessories,  almost  the 
beau  ideal  of  a  cottage  ornee.  The  charming  manner  in 
which  the  wild  foot-paths,  in  the  neighborhood  of  this  cot- 
tage, are  conducted  among  the  picturesque  dells  and  banks, 
is  precisely  what  one  would  look  for  here.  A  little  below, 
Mr.  Sheldon's  cottage  (now  Mr.  Hoag's),  with  its  pretty 
lawn  and  its  charming  brook,  is  one  of  the  best  specimens 

f 


36 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


of  this  kind  of  residence  on  the  river.  At  Hastings,  four 
or  five  miles  south,  is  the  agreeable  seat  of  Kobt.  B.  Min- 
turn,  Esq. 

About  twelve  miles  from  New  York,  on  the  Sound,  is 
Hunter  s  Island,  the  seat  of  John  Hunter,  Esq.,  a  place  of 
much  simplicity  and  dignity  of  character.  The  whole 
island  may  be  considered  an  extensive  park  carpeted  with 
soft  lawn,  and  studded  with  noble  trees.  The  mansion  is 
simple  in  its  exterior,  but  internally,  is  filled  with  rich 
treasures  of  art.  The  seat  of  James  Munroe,  Esq.,  on  the 
East  river  in  this  neighborhood,  abounds  with  beautiful 
trees,  and  many  other  features  of  interest. 

The  Cottage  residence  of  William  H.  Aspinwall,  Esq.,  on 
Staten  Island,  is  a  highly  picturesque  specimen  of  Land- 
scape Gardening.  The  house  is  in  the  English  cottage 
style,  and  from  its  open  lawn  in  front,  the  eye  takes  in  a 
wide  view  of  the  ocean,  the  Narrows,  and  the  blue  hills  of 
Neversink.  In  the  rear  of  the  cottage,  the  surface  is 
much  broken  and  varied,  and  finely  wooded  and  planted. 
In  improving  this  picturesque  site,  a  nice  sense  of  the 
charm  of  natural  expression  has  been  evinced ;  and  the 
sudden  variations  from  smooth  open  surface,  to  wild 
wooden  banks,  with  rocky,  moss-covered  flights  of  steps, 
strike  the  stranger  equally  with  surprise  and  delight.  A 
charming  greenhouse,  a  knotted?  flower-garden,  and  a 
pretty,  rustic  moss-house,  are  among  the  interesting  points 
of  this  spirited  place.    (See  Fig.  7.) 

The  seat  of  the  Wadsworth  family,  at  Geneseo,  is  the 
finest  in  the  interior  of  the  state  of  New  York.  Nothing, 
indeed,  can  well  be  more  magnificent  than  the  meadow  park 
at  Geneseo.  It  is  more  than  a  thousand  acres  in  extent, 
lying  on  each  side  of  the  Genesee  river,  and  is  filled  with- 
thousands  of  the  noblest  oaks  and  elms,  many  of  which,  but 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES 


37 


more  especially  the  oaks,  are  such  trees  as  we  see  in  the 
pictures  of  Claude,  or  our  own  Durand  ;  richly  developed, 
their  trunks  and  branches  grand  and  majestic,  their  heads 
full  of  breadth  and  grandeur  of  outline. 
These  oaks,  distributed  over  a  nearly  level  surface,  with 
the  trees  disposed  either  singly  or  in  the  finest  groups,  as 
if  most  tastefully  planted  centuries  ago,  are  solely  the  work 
of  nature ;  and  yet  so  entirely  is  the  whole  like  the 
grandest  planted  park,  that  it  is  difficult  to  believe  thai 
all  is  not  the  work  of  some  master  of  art,  and  intended  for 
the  accompaniment  of  a  magnificent  residence.  Some  of 
the  trees  are  five  or  six  hundred  years  old. 

In  Connecticut,  Monte  Video,  the  seat  of  Daniel  Wads- 
worth,  Esq.,  near  Hartford,  is  worthy  of  commendation,  as 
it  evinces  a  good  deal  of  beauty  in  its  grounds,  and  is  one 
of  the  most  tasteful  in  the  state.  The  residence  of  James 
Hillhouse,  Esq.,  near  New-Haven,  is  a  pleasing  specimen 
of  the  simplest  kind  of  Landscape  Gardening,  where  grace- 
ful forms  of  trees,  and  a  gently  sloping  surface  of  grass, 
are  the  principal  features.  The  villa  of  Mr.  Whitney 
near  New-Haven,  is  one  of  the  most  tastefully  managed  in 
the  state.  In  Maine,  the  most  remarkable  seat,  as  respects 
landscape  gardening  and  architecture,  is  that  of  Mr.  Gar- 
diner, of  Gardiner. 

The  environs  of  Boston  are  more  highly  cultivated  than 
Jiose  of  any  other  city  in  North  America.  There  are  here 
whole  rural  neighborhoods  of  pretty  cottages  and  villas,  ad- 
mirably cultivated,  and,  in  many  cases,  tastefully  laid  out 
and  planted.  The  character  of  even  the  finest  of  these 
places  is,  perhaps,  somewhat  suburban,  as  compared  with 
those  of  the  Hudson  river,  but  we  regard  them  as  furnish- 


38 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


ing  admirable  hints  for  a  class  of  residence  likely  to  become 
more  numerous  than  any  other  in  this  country — the  taste 
ful  suburban  cottage.  The  owner  of  a  small  cottage  resi- 
dence may  have  almost  every  kind  of  beauty  and  enjoy- 
ment in  his  grounds  that  the  largest  estate  will  afford,  so 
far  as  regards  the  interest  of  trees  and  plants,  tasteful  ar- 
rangement, recreation,  and  occupation.  Indeed,  we  have 
little  doubt  that  he,  who  directs  personally  the  curve  of 
every  walk,  selects  and  plants  every  shrub  and  tree,  and 
watches  with  solicitude  every  evidence  of  beauty  and  pro- 
gress,  succeeds  in  extracting  from  his  tasteful  grounds  of 
half  a  dozen  acres,  a  more  intense  degree  of  pleasure,  than 
one  who  is  only  able  to  direct  and  enjoy,  in  a  general 
sense,  the  arrangement  of  a  vast  estate. 

Belmont,  the  seat  of  J.  P.  Cushing,  Esq.,  is  a  residence 
of  more  note  than  any  other  near  Boston ;  but  this  is, 
chiefly,  on  account  of  the  extensive  ranges  of  glass,  the 
forced  fruits,  and  the  high  culture  of  the  gardens.  A  new 
and  spacious  mansion  has  recently  been  erected  here,  and 
the  pleasure-grounds  are  agreeably  varied  with  fine  groups 
and  masses  of  trees  and  shrubs  on  a  pleasing  lawn 
(Fig.  8.) 

The  seat  of  Col.  Perkins,  at  Brookline,  is  one  of  the 
most  interesting  in  this  neighborhood.  The  very  beautiful 
lawn  here,  abounds  with  exquisite  trees,  finely  disposed ; 
among  them,  some  larches  and  Norway  firs,  with  many 
other  rare  trees  of  uncommon  beauty  of  form.  At  a  short 
distance  is  the  villa  residence  of  Theodore  Lyman,  Esq., 
remarkable  for  the  unusually  fine  avenue  of  Elms  leading 
to  the  house,  and  for  the  beautiful  architectural  taste  dis- 
played' in  the  dwelling  itself.    The  seat  of  the  Hon.  John 


Fig.  9.— Mr.  Dunn's  Cottage,  Mount  Holly.  N.  J. 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


39 


Lowell,  at  Roxbury,  possesses  also  many  interesting  gar- 
dening features.* 

Pine  Bank,  the  Perkins  estate,  on  the  border  of 
Jamaica  lake,  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  residences 
near  Boston.  The  natural  surface  of  the  ground  is  ex- 
ceedingly flowing  and  graceful,  and  it  is  varied  by  two  or 
three  singular  little  dimples,  or  hollows,  which  add  to  its 
effect.  The  perfect  order  of  the  grounds  ;  the  beauty  of 
the  walks,  sometimes  skirting  the  smooth  open  lawn,  en- 
riched with  rare  plants  and  shrubs,  and  then  winding  by 
the  shadowy  banks  of  the  water ;  the  soft  and  quiet  cha- 
racter of  the  lake  itself, — its  margin  richly  fringed  with 
trees,  which  conceal  here  and  there  a  pretty  cottage,  its 
firm  clean  beach  of  gravel,  and  its  water  of  crystal  purity ; 
all  these  features  make  this  place  a  little  gem  of  natural 

*  We  Americans  are  proverbially  impatient  of  delay,  and  a  few  years  in 
prospect  appear  an  endless  futurity.  So  much  is  this  the  feeling  with  many, 
that  we  verily  believe  there  are  hundreds  of  our  country  places,  which  owe 
their  bareness  and  destitution  of  foliage  to  the  idea,  so  common,  that  it  requires 
"  an  age"  for  forest  trees  to  "  grow  up." 

The  middle-aged  man  hesitates  about  the  good  of  planting  what  he  imagines 
he  shall  never  see  arriving  at  maturity,  and  even  many  who  are  younger,  con- 
ceive that  it  requires  more  than  an  ordinary  lifetime  to  rear  a  fine  wood  of 
planted  trees.  About  two  years  since,  we  had  the  pleasure  of  visiting  the  seat 
of  the  late  Mr.  Lowell,  whom  we  found  in  a  green  old  age,  still  enjoying,  with 
the  enthusiasm  of  youth,  the  pleasures  of  Horticulture  and  a  country  life.  For 
the  encouragement  of  those  who  are  ever  complaining  of  the  tardy  pace  with 
which  the  growth  of  trees  advances,  we  will  here  record  that  we  accompanied 
Mr.  L.  through  a  belt  of  fine  woods  (skirting  part  of  his  residence),  nearly  half 
a  mile  in  length,  consisting  of  almost  all  our  finer  hardy  trees,  many  of  them 
apparently  full  grown,  the  whole  of  which  had  been  planted  by  him  when  he 
was  thirty-two  years  old.  At  that  time,  a  solitary  elm  or  two  were  almost 
the  enly  trees  upon  his  estate.  We  can  hardly  conceive  a  more  rational  source 
of  pride  or  enjoyment,  than  to  be  able  thus  to  walk,  in  the  decline  of  years, 
beneath  the  shadow  of  umbrageous  woods  and  groves,  planted  by  our  own 
hands,  and  whose  gowth  has  become  almost  identified  with  our  own  pro- 
gress and  existence. 


40 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


and  artistical  harmony,  and  beauty.  Mr.  Perkins  has  just 
rebuilt  the  house,  in  the  style  of  a  French  maiso'n  de  cam- 
pagne;  and  Pine  Bank  is  now  adorned  with  a  most 
complete  residence  in  the  latest  continental  taste,  from 
the  designs  of  M.  Lemoulnier. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  lake  is  the  cottage  of  Thomas 
Lee,  Esq.  Enthusiastically  fond  of  botany,  and  gardening 
in  all  its  departments,  Mr.  Lee  has  here  formed  a  residence 
of  as  much  variety  and  interest  as  we  ever  saw  in  so 
moderate  a  compass — about  20  acres.  It  is,  indeed,  not 
only  a  most  instructive  place  to  the  amateur  of  landscape 
gardening,  but  to  the  naturalist  and  lover  of  plants.  Every 
shrub  seems  placed  precisely  in  the  soil  and  aspect  it  likes 
best,  and  native  and  foreign  Rhododendrons,  Kalmias,  and 
other  rare  shrubs,  are  seen  here  in  the  finest  condition. 
There  is  a  great  deal  of  variety  in  the  surface  here,  and 
while  the  lawn-front  of  the  house  has  a  polished  and 
graceful  air,  one  or  two  other  portions  are  quite  picturesque. 
Near  the  entrance  gate  is  an  English  oak,  only  fourteen 
years  planted,  now  forty  feet  high. 

The  whole  of  this  neighborhood  of  Brookline  is  a  kind 
of  landscape  garden,  and  there  is  nothing  in  America,  of 
the  sort,  so  inexpressibly  charming  as  the  lanes  which  lead 
from  one  cottage,  or  villa,  to  another.  No  animals  are 
allowed  to  run  at  large,  and  the  open  gates,  with  tempting 
vistas  and  glimpses  under  the  pendent  boughs,  give  it  quite 
an  Arcadian  air  of  rural  freedom  and  enjoyment.  These 
lanes  are  clothed  with  a  profusion  of  trees  and  wild  shrub- 
bery, often  almost  to  the  carriage  tracks,  and  curve  and 
wind  about,  in  a  manner  quite  bewildering  to  the  stranger 
who  attempts  to  thread  them  alone  ;  and  there  are  more 
hints  here  for  the  lover  of  the  picturesque  in  lanes,  than 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


41 


we  ever  saw  assembled  together  in  so  small  a  com- 
pass. 

In  the  environs  of  New  Bedford  are  many  beautiful  resi- 
dences. Among  these,  we  desire  particularly  to  notice  the 
residence  of  James  Arnold,  Esq.  There  is  scarcely  a  small 
place  in  New  England,  where  the  pleasure-grounds  are  so 
full  of  variety,  and  in  such  perfect  order  and  keeping,  as  at 
this  charming  spot ;  and  its  winding  walks,  open  bits  of 
lawn,  shrubs  and  plants  grouped  on  turf,  shady  bowers, 
and  rustic  seats,  all  most  agreeably  combined,  render  this 
a  very  interesting  and  instructive  suburban  seat.  (Fig.  11.) 

In  New  Jersey,  the  grounds  of  the  Count  de  Survilliers, 
at  Bordentown,  were  very  extensive  ;  and  although  the  sur- 
face is  mostly  flat,  it  has  been  well  varied  by  extensive 
plantations.  At  Mount  Holly,  about  twenty  miles  from 
Camden,  is  Mr.  Dunn's  unique,  semi-oriental  cottage,  with 
a  considerable  extent  of  pleasure  ground,  newly  planted, 
after  the  designs  of  Mr.  Notman.    (Fig.  9.) 

About  Philadelphia  there  are  several  very  interesting 
seats  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware  and  Schuylkill,  and 
the  district  between  these  two  rivers. 

The  country  seat  of  George  Sheaff,  Esq.,  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  in  Pennsylvania,  in  many  respects,  is  twelve 
miles  north  of  Philadelphia.  The  house  is  a  large  and  re- 
spectable mansion  of  stone,  surrounded  by  pleasure-grounds 
and  plantations  of  fine  evergreen  and  deciduous  trees.  The 
conspicuous  ornament  of  the  grounds,  however,  is  a  mag- 
nificent white  oak,  of  enormous  size,  whose  wide  stretching 
branches,  and  grand  head,  give  an  air  of  dignity  to  the 
whole  place.  (Fig.  10.)  Among  the  sylvan  features  here, 
most  interesting,  are  also  the  handsome  evergreens,  chiefly 
Balsam  or  Balm  of  Gilead  firs,  some  of  which  are  now 


42 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


much  higher  than  the  mansion.  These  trees  were  planted 
by  Mr.  Sheaff  twenty-two  years  ago,  and  were  then  so 
small,  that  they  were  brought  by  him  from  Philadelphia, 
at  various  times,  in  his  carriage — a  circumstance  highly 
encouraging  to  despairing  planters,  when  we  reflect  how 
comparatively  slow  growing  is  this  tree.  •  This  whole  es- 
tate is  a  striking  example  of  science,  skill,  and  taste, 
applied  to  a  country  seat,  and  there  are  few  in  the  Union, 
taken  as  a  whole,  superior  to  it.* 

Cottage  residence  of  Mrs.  Camac.  This  is  one  of  the 
most  agreeable  places  within  a  few  miles  of  Philadelphia. 
The  house  is  a  picturesque  cottage,  in  the  rural  gothic 
style,  with  very  charming  and  appropriate  pleasure  grounds, 
comprising  many  groups  and  masses  of  large  and  finely 
grown  trees,  interspersed  with  a  handsome  collection  of 
shrubs  and  plants ;  the*  whole  very  tastefully  arranged. 
(Fig.  11.)  The  lawn  is  prettily  varied  in  surface,  and 
there  is  a  conservatory  attached  to  the  house,  in  which  the 
plants  in  pots  are  hidden  in  beds  of  soft  green  moss,  and 
which,  in  its  whole  effect  and  management,  is  more  tasteful 
and  elegant  than  any  plant  house,  connected  with  a  dwell- 
ing, that  we  remember  to  have  seen. 

*  The  farm  is  300  acres  in  extent,  and,  in  the  time  of  De  Witt  Clinton,  was 
pronounced  by  him  the  model  farm  of  the  United  States.  At  the  present  time 
we  know  nothing  superior  to  it ;  and  Capt.  Barclay,  in  his  agricultural  tour,  says 
it  was  the  only  instance  of  regular,  scientific  system  of  husbandry  in  the  Eng- 
lish manner,  he  saw  in  America.  Indeed,  the  large  and  regular  fields,  filled 
with  luxuriant  crops,  everywhere  of  an  exact  evenness  of  growth,  and  every- 
where free  from  weeds  of  any  sort ;  the  perfect  system  of  manuring  and  cul- 
ture ;  the  simple  and  complete  fences  ;  the  fine  stock  ;  the  very  spacious  barns, 
every  season  newly  whitewashed  internally  and  externally,  paved  with  wood, 
and  as  clean  as  a  gentleman's  stable  (with  stalls  to  fatten  90  head  of  cattle) ; 
these,  and  the  masterly  way  in  which  the  whole  is  managed,  both  as  regarda 
culture  and  profit,  render  this  estate  one  of  no  common  interest  in  an  agricul- 
tural, as  well  as  ornamental  point  of  view. 


Fm.  10.— The  Seat  of  George  Shcaflf,  Esq. 


Fig. 


11.— Mrs.  Camac's  Residence. 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


43 


Stenton,  near  Germantown,  four  miles  from  Philadelphia, 
is  a  fine  old  place,  with  many  picturesque  features.  The 
farm  consists  of  700  acres,  almost  without  division  fences — 
admirably  managed — and  remarkable  for  its  grand  old 
avenue  of  the  hemlock  spruce,  110  years  old,  leading  to  a 
family  cemetery  of  much  sylvan  beauty.  There  is  a  large 
and  excellent  old  mansion,  with  paved  halls,  built  in  1731, 
which  is  preserved  in  its  original  condition.  This  place 
was  the  seat  of  the  celebrated  Logan,  the  friend  of  William 
Penn,  and  is  now  owned  by  his  descendant,  Albanus  Logan. 

The  villa  residence  of  Alexander  Brown,  Esq.,  is  situated 
on  the  Delaware,  a  few  miles  from  Philadelphia.  There 
is  here  a  good  deal  of  beauty,  in  the  natural  style,  made  up 
chiefly  by  lawn  and  forest  trees.  A  pleasing  drive  through 
plantations  of  25  years'  growth,  is  one  of  the  most  interest- 
ing features — and  there  is  much  elegance  and  high  keeping 
n  the  grounds. 

Below  Philadelphia,  the  lover  of  beautiful  places  will 
find  a  good  deal  to  admire  in  the  country  seat  of  John  R. 
Latimer,  Esq.,  near  Wilmington,  which  enjoys  the  reputa- 
tion of  being  the  finest  in  Delaware.  The  place  has  all 
the  advantages  of  high  keeping,  richly  stocked  gardens  and 
conservatories,  and  much  natural  beauty,  heightened  by 
judicious  planting,  arrangement,  and  culture. 

At  the  south  are  many  extensive  country  residences  re- 
markable for  trees  of  unusual  grandeur  and  beauty,  among 
which  the  live  oak  is  very  conspicuous  ;  but  they  are,  in 
general,  wanting  in  that  high  keeping  and  care,  which  is 
so  essential  to  the  charm  of  a  landscape  garden. 

Of  smaller  villa  residences,  suburban  chiefly,  there  are 
great  numbers,  springing  up  almost  by  magic,  in  the  bor- 
ders of  our  towns  and  cities.    Though  the  possessors  of 


44 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


these  can  scarcely  hope  to  introduce  anything  approaching 
to  a  landscape  garden  style,  in  laying  out  their  limited 
grounds,  still  they  may  be  greatly  benefited  by  an  ac- 
quaintance with  the  beauties  and  the  pleasures  of  this 
species  of  rural  embellishment.  When  we  are  once  master 
of  the  principles,  and  aware  of  the  capabilities  of  an  art, 
we  are  able  to  infuse  an  expression  of  tasteful  design,  or 
an  air  of  more  correct  elegance,  even  into  the  most  humble 
works,  and  with  very  limited  means. 

While  we  shall  endeavor,  in  the  following  pages,  to  give 
such  a  view  of  modern  Landscape  Gardening,  as  will  enable 
the  improver  to  proceed  with  his  fascinating  operations,  in 
embellishing  the  country  residence,  in  a  practical  mode, 
based  upon  what  are  now  generally  received  as  the  correct 
principles  of  the  art,  we  would  desire  the  novice,  after 
making  himself  acquainted  with  all  that  can  be  acquired 
from  written  works  within  his  reach,  to  strengthen  his  taste 
and  add  to  his  knowledge,  by  a  practical  inspection  of  the 
best  country  seats  among  us.  In  an  infant  state  of  society, 
in  regard  to  the  fine  arts,  much  will  be  done  in  violation  of 
good  taste ;  but  here,  where  nature  has  done  so  much  for 
us,  there  is  scarcely  a  large  country  residence  in  the  Union, 
from  which  useful  hints  in  Landscape  Gardening  may  not 
be  taken.  And  in  nature,  a  group  of  trees,  an  accidental 
pond  of  water,  or  some  equally  simple  object,  may  form  a 
study  more  convincing  to  the  mind  of  a  true  admirer  of 
natural  beauty,  than  the  most  carefully  drawn  plan,  or  the 
most  elaborately  written  description. 


I 

BEAUTIES   AND   PRINCIPLES   OF   THE  ART. 


45 


SECTION  II. 


BEAUTIES  AND  PRINCIPLES   OF  THE  ART. 

Capacities  of  the  art.  The  beauties  of  the  ancient  style.  The  modern  style.  The  Beauti- 
ful and  the  Picturesque :  their  distinctive  characteristics.  Illustrations  drawn  from 
Nature  and  Painting.  Nature  and  principles  of  Landscape  Gardening  as  an  Imitative 
art.  Distinction  between  the  Beautiful  and  Picturesque.  The  principles  of  Unity 
Harmony,  and  Variety. 

"  Here  Nature  in  her  unaffected  dresse, 
Plaited  with  vallies  ai\d  imbost  with  hills, 
Enchast  with  silver  streams,  and  fringed  with  woods 
Sits  lovely." — 

Chamberlayne. 

"  II  est  des  soins  plus  doux,  un  art  plus  enchanteur. 
C'est  peu  de  charmer  l'ceil,  il  faut  parler  au  cceur. 
Avez-vous  done  connu  ces  rapports  invisibles, 
Des  corps  inanimes  et  des  etres  sensibles  ] 
Avez-vous  entendu  des  eaux,  des  pres,  des  hois, 
La  muette  eloquence  et  la  secrete  voix  ? 

Rendez-nous  ces  effets."  Les  Jardins,  Book  I. 

E  F  O  R  E  we  proceed  to  a  detailed  and 
more  practical  consideration  of  the  subject, 
let  us  occupy  ourselves  for  a  moment  with 
the  consideration  of  the  different  results 
which  are  to  be  sought  after,  or,  in  other 
words,  what  kinds  of  beauty  we  may  hope  to 
produce  by  Landscape  Gardening.  To  attempt  the  smallest 
work  in  any  art,  without  knowing  either  the  capacities  of 


46 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


that  art,  or  the  schools,  or  modes,  by  which  it  has  previous- 
ly been  characterized,  is  but  to  be  groping  about  in  a  dim 
twilight,  without  the  power  of  knowing,  even  should  we  be 
successful  in  our  efforts,  the  real  excellence  of  our  produc- 
tion ;  or  of  judging  its  merit,  comparatively,  as  a  work  of 
taste  and  imagination. 


[Fig.  12.   The  Geometric  style,  from  an  old  print.] 

The  beauties  elicited  by  the  ancient  style  of  gardening 
were  those  of  regularity,  symmetry,  and  the  display  of 
labored  art.  These  were  attained  in  a  merely  mechanical 
manner,  and  usually  involved  little  or  no  theory.  The 
geometrical  form  and  lilies  of  the  buildings  were  only  ex- 
tended and  carried  out  in  the  garden.  In  the  best  classical 
models,  the  art  of  the  sculptor  conferred  dignity  and  ele- 
gance on  the  garden,  by  the  fine  forms  of  marble  vases  and 
statues  ;  in  the , more  intricate  and  labored  specimens  of  the 


BEAUTIES   AND   PRINCIPLES   OF   THE  ART. 


47 


Dutch  school,  prevalent  in  England  in  the  time  of  William 
IV.  (Fig.  12),  the  results  evince  a  fertility  of  odd  conceits, 
rather  than  the  exercise  of  taste  or  imagination.  Indeed, 
as.  to  level  ground  naturally  uneven,  or  to  make  an  avenue, 
hy  planting  rows  of  trees  on  each  side  of  a  broad  walk, 
requires  only  the  simplest  perception  of  the  beauty  of  ma- 
thematical  forms,  so,  to  lay  out  a  garden  in  the  geometric 
style,  became  little  more  than  a  formal  routine,  and  it  was 
only  after  the  superior  interest  of  a  more  natural  manner 
was  enforced  by  men  of  genius,  that  natural  beauty  of 
expression  was  recognised,  and  Landscape  Gardening  was 
raised  to  the  rank  of  a  fine  art. 

The  ancient  style  of  gardening  may,  however,  be  intro- 
duced with  good  effect  in  certain  cases.  In  public  squares 
and  gardens,  where  display,  grandeur  of  effect,  and  a  highly 
artificial  character  are  desirable,  it  appears  to  us  the  most 
suitable ;  and  no  less  so  in  very  small  gardens,  in  which 
variety  and  irregularity  are  out  of  the  question.  Where  a 
taste  for  imitating  an  old  and  quaint  style  of  residence 
exists,  the  symmetrical  and  knotted  garden  would  be  a 
proper  accompaniment ;  and  pleached  alleys,  and  sheared 
trees,  would  be  admired,  like  old  armor  or  furniture,  as 
curious  specimens  of  antique  taste  and  custom.* 

*  There  has  been  a  great  revival  of  this  kind  of  garden  in  England  the  past 
ten  years— more,  perhaps,  inclining  to  the  Italian  school  than  the  Dutch. 
Chatsworth,  Woburu  Abbey,  Castle  Howard,  Bowood,  Eaton  Hall,  and,  in  fact, 
most  of  the  great  places,  have  more  or  less  adopted  the  Italian  or  Architec- 
tural school  on  one  or  more  sides  of  the  house,  as  a  sort  of  connection  between 
art  and  nature.  Trentham  (the  Duke  of  Sutherland's)  is,  we  believe,  especially 
rich  in  architectural  gardens.  Both  here  and  at  the  other  places  above-men- 
tioned, the  grade  between  the  house  and  the  park  is  let  aown,  as  it  were,  by  a 
series  of  terraces,  each  divided  from  the  other  by  heavy  stone  balustrades,  sur- 
mounted, at  regular  intervals,  with  vase-3,  planted  either  with  Geraniums,  or 
with  Yucca,  Aloe,  Bonapartias,  and  other  formal  plants.  Flights  of  broad, 
heavy  stone  or  marble  steps  conduct  from  one  terrace  to  the  other,  and  finally 


48 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


The  earliest  professors  of  modern  Landscape  Gardening 
have  generally  agreed  upon  two  variations,  of  which  the 
art  is  capable — variations  no  less  certainly  distinct,  on  the 
one  hand,  than  they  are  capable  of  intermingling  and  com- 
bining, on  the  other.  These  are  the  beautiful  and  the  pic- 
turesque :  or,  to  speak  more  definitely,  the  beauty  charac- 
terized by  simple  and  flowing  forms,  and  that  expressed  by 
striking,  irregular,  spirited  forms. 

The  admirer  of  nature,  as  well  as  the  lover  of  pictures 
and  engravings,  will  at  once  call  to  mind  examples  of 
scenery  distinctly  expressive  of  each  of  these  kinds  of 
beauty.  In  nature,  perhaps  some  gently  undulating  plain, 
covered  with  emerald  turf,  partially  or  entirely  encompassed 
by  rich,  rolling  outlines  of  forest  canopy, — its  wildest  ex- 
panse here  broken  occasionally,  by  noble  groups  of  round- 
headed  trees,  or  there  interspersed  with  single  specimens 
whose  trunks  support  heads  of  foliage  flowing  in  outline, 
or  drooping  in  masses  to  the  very  turf  beneath  them.  In 
such  a  scene  we  often  behold  the  azure  of  heaven,  and  its 
silvery  clouds,  as  well  as  the  deep  verdure  of  the  luxuriant 
and  shadowy  branches,  reflected  in  the  placid  bosom  of  a 
silvan  lake  ;  the  shores  of  the  latter  swelling  out,  and  reced- 
ing, in  gentle  curved  lines  ;  the  banks,  sometimes  covered 
with  soft  turf  sprinkled  with  flowers,  and  in  other  portions 
clothed  with  luxuriant  masses  of  verdant  shrubs.    Here  are 

to  the  Park.  The  flat  of  the  terrace,  being  laid  out  either  in  the  most  formal 
and  precise  parterre,  or  in  extremely  rich  and  intricate  beds  of  arabesque  pat- 
terns in  scrolls,  to  resemble  carpets.  In  either  case,  great  use  is  made  of 
statues  and  fountains,  very  elaborately  and  artistically  designed  and  executed, 
and  of  Portugal  Laurel,  trimmed  up  to  imitate  orange-trees  in  tubs;  as,  also, 
of  the  Irish  and  Golden  Yew,  and  other  pyramidal  evergreens,  either  planted  in 
the  ground,  or  in  boxes,  and,  also,  of  different-colored  gravel  in  the  division 
of  the  beds,  the  whole  producing,  when  seen  from  the  windows  of  the  house, 
a  brilliant  combination,  which,  with  the  soft,  verdant  park  as  a  background,  is 
inexpressibly  gay  and  effective. — II.  W.  S. 


BEAUTIES   AND   PRINCIPLES   OF   THE  ART. 


49 


all  the  elements  of  what  is  termed  natural  beauty, — or  a 
landscape  characterized  by  simple,  easy,  and  flowing  lines. 

For  an  example  of  the  opposite  character,  let  us  take  a 
stroll  to  the  nearest  woody  glen  in  your  neighborhood — ■ 
perhaps  a  romantic  valley,  half  shut  in  on  two  or  more 
sides  by  steep  rocky  banks,  partially  concealed  and  over- 
hung by  clustering  vines,  and  tangled  thickets  of  deep 
foliage.  Against  the  sky  outline  breaks  the  wild  and  irre- 
gular form  of  some  old,  half  decayed  tree  near  by,  or  the 
horizontal  and  unique  branches  of  the  larch  or  the  pine, 
with  their  strongly  marked  forms.  Rough  and  irregular 
stems  and  trunks,  rocks  half  covered  with  mosses  and 
flowering  plants,  open  glades  of  bright  verdure  opposed  to 
dark  masses  of  bold  shadowy  foliage,  form  prominent  ob- 
jects in  the  foreground.  If  water  enlivens  the  scene,  we 
shall  hear  the  murmur  of  the  noisy  brook,  or  the  cool  dash- 
ing of  the  cascade,  as  it  leaps  over  the  rocky  barrier.  Le. 
the  stream  turn  the  ancient  and  well-worn  wheel  of  the  old 
mill  in  the  middle  ground,  and  we  shall  have  an  illustration 
of  the  picturesque,  not  the  less  striking  from  its  familiarity 
to  every  one. 

To  the  lover  of  the  fine  arts,  the  name  of  Claude  Lor- 
raine cannot  fail  to  suggest  examples  of  beauty  in  some  of 
its  purest  and  most  simple  forms.  In  the  best  pictures  of 
this  master,  we  see  portrayed  those  graceful  and  flowing 
forms  in  trees,  foreground,  and  buildings,  which  delight  so 
much  the  lover  of  noble  and  chaste  beauty, — compositions 
emanating  from  a  harmonious  soul,  and  inspired  by  a  cli- 
mate and  a  richness  of  nature  and  art  seldom  surpassed. 

On  the  other  hand,  where  shall  we  find  all  the  elements 
of  the  picturesque  more  graphically  combined  than  in  the 
vigorous  landscapes  of  Salvator  Rosa !    In  those  rugged 


50 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


scenes,  even  the  lawless  aspects  of  his  favorite  robbers  and 
banditti  are  not  more  spirited,  than  the  bold  rocks  and  wild 
passes  by  which  they  are  surrounded.  And  in  the  produc- 
tions of  his  pencil  we  see  the  influence  of  a  romantic  and 
vigorous  imagination,  nursed  amid  scenes  teeming  with 
the  grand  as  well  as  the  picturesque — both  of  which  he 
embodied  in  the  most  striking  manner. 

In  giving  these  illustrations  of  beautiful  and  of  pictu- 
resque scenes,  we  have  not  intended  them  to  be  understood 
in  the  light  of  exact  models  for  imitation  in  Landscape 
Gardening — only  as  striking  examples  of  expression  in 
natural  scenery.  Although  in  nature  many  landscapes 
partake  in  a  certain  degree  of  both  these  kinds  of  expression, 
yet  it  is  no  doubt  true  that  the  effect  is  more  satisfactory, 
where  either  the  one  or  the  other  character  predominates. 
The  accomplished  amateur  should  be  able  to  seize  at  once 
upon  the  characteristics  of  these  two  species  of  beauty  in 
all  scenery.  To  assist  the  reader  in  this  kind  of  discrimi- 
nation, we  shall  keep  these  expressions  constantly  in  view, 
and  we  hope  we  shall  be  able  fully  to  illustrate  the  differ- 
ence in  the  expression  of  even  single  trees,  in  this  respect. 
A  few  strongly  marked  objects,  either  picturesque  or  simply 
beautiful,  will  often  confer  their  character  upon  a  whole 
landscape  ;  as  the  destruction  of  a  single  group  of  bold 
rocks,  covered  with  wood,  may  render  a  scene,  once  pictu- 
resque, completely  insipid. 

The  early  writers  on  the  modern  style  were  content  with 
trees  allowed  to  grow  in  their  natural  forms,  and  with  an 
easy  assemblage  of  sylvan  scenery  in  the  pleasure-grounds, 
which  resembled  the  usual  woodland  features  of  nature. 
The  effect  of  this  method  will  always  be  interesting,  and  an 
agreeable  effect  will  always  be  the  result  of  following  the 


BEAUTIES   AND   PRINCIPLES   OF   THE  ART. 


51 


simplest  hints  derived  from  the  free  and  luxuriant  forms  of 
nature.  No  residence  in  the  country  can  fail  to  be  pleasing, 
whose  features  are  natural  groups  of  forest  trees,  smooth 
lawn,  and  hard  gravel  walks. 

But  this  is  scarcely  Landscape  Gardening  in  the  true 
sense  of  the  word,  although  apparently  so  understood  by 
many  writers.  By  Landscape  Gardening,  we  understand 
not  only  an  imitation,  in  the  grounds  of  a  country  residence, 
of  the  agreeable  forms  of  nature,  but  an  expressive,  harmo- 
nious, and  refined  imitation*  In  Landscape  Gardening, 
we  should  aim  to  separate  the  accidental  and  extraneous 
in  nature,  and  to  preserve  only  the  spirit,  or  essence.  This 
subtle  essence  lies,  we  believe,  in  the  expression  more  or 
less  pervading  every  attractive  portion  of  nature.  And  it 
is  by  eliciting,  preserving,  or  heightening  this  expression, 
that  we  may  give  our  landscape  gardens  a  higher  charm, 
than  even  the  polish  of  art  can  bestow. 

Now,  the  two  most  forcible  and  complete  expressions  to 
be  found  in  that  kind  of  natural  scenery  which  may  be 
reproduced  in  Landscape  Gardening,  are  the  Beautiful 
and  the  Picturesque.  As  we  look  upon  these  as  quite 
distinct,  and  as  success  in  practical  embellishment  must 
depend  on  our  feeling  and  understanding  these  expressions 
beforehand,  it  is  necessary  that  we  should  attach  some 
definite  meaning  to  terms  which  we  shall  be  continually 
obliged  to  employ.    This  is,  indeed,  the  more  requisite,  from 

*  "  Thus,  there  is  a  beauty  of  nature  and  a  beauty  of  art.  To  copy  the 
beauty  of  nature  cannot  be  called  being  an  artist  in  the  highest  sense  of  the 
word,  as  a  mechanical  talent  only  is  requisite  for  this.  The  beautiful  in  art 
depends  on  ideas  ;  and  the  true  artist,  therefore,  must  possess,  together  with  the 
talent  for  technical  execution,  that  genial  power  which  revels  freely  in  rich 
forms,  and  is  capable  of  producing  and  animating  them.  It  is  by  this,  that  the 
aierit  of  the  artist  and  his  production  is  to  be  judged  ;  and  these  cannot  bo 


52 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


the  vague  and  conflicting  opinions  of  most  preceding  writers 
on  this  branch  of  the  subject ;  some,  like  Repton,  insisting 
that  they  are  identical ;  and  others,  like  Price,  that  thev 
are  widely  different. 

Gilpin  defines  Picturesque  objects  to  be  "those  which 
please  from  some  quality  capable  of  being  illustrated  in 
painting." 

Nothing  can  well  be  more  vague  than  such  a  definition. 
We  have  already  described  the  difference  between  the 
beautiful  landscapes  of  Claude  and  the  picturesque  scenes 
painted  by  Salvator.  No  one  can  deny  their  being  essen- 
tially distinct  in  character ;  and  no  one,  we  imagine,  will 
deny  that  they  both  please  from  "  some  quality  capable  of 
being  illustrated  in  painting."  The  beautiful  female  heads 
of  Carlo  Dolce  are  widely  different  from  those  of  the  pictu- 
resque peasant  girls  of  Gerard  Douw,  yet  both  are  favorite 
subjects  with  artists.  A  symmetrical  American  elm,  with 
its  wide  head  drooping  with  garlands  of  graceful  foliage,  is 
very  different  in  expression  from  the  wild  and  twisted  larch 
or  pine  tree,  which  we  find  on  the  steep  sides  of  a  moun- 
tain ;  yet  both  are  favorite  subjects  with  the  painter.  It  is 
clear,  indeed,  that  there  is  a  widely  different  idea  hidden 
under  these  two  distinct  types,  in  material  forms. 

Beauty,  in  all  natural  objects,  as  we  conceive,  arises 
from  their  expression  of  those  attributes  of  the  Creator — ■ 
infinity,  unity,  symmetry,  proportion,  etc. — which  he  has 
stamped  more  or  less  visibly  on  all  his  works ;  and  a  beau- 
tiful living  form  is  one  in  which  the  individual  is  a  harmo- 

properly  estimated  among  those  barren  copyists  which  we  find  so  many  of  our 
flower,  landscape,  and  portrait  painters  to  be.  But  the  artist  stands  much 
higher  in  the  scale,  who,  though  a  copyist  of  visible  nature,  is  capable  of  seiz- 
ing it  with  poetic  feeling,  and  representing  it  in  its  more  dignified  sense  ;  such, 
for  example,  as  Raphael,  Poussin,  Claude,  &c." — Weinbretjner. 


BEAUTIES   AND   PRINCIPLES   OF   THE  ART, 


53 


nious  and  well  balanced  development  of  a  fine  type.  Thus, 
taking  the  most  perfect  specimens  of  beauty  in  the  human 
figure,  we  see  in  them  symmetry,  proportion,  unity, 
and  grace — the  presence  of  everything  that  could  add 
to  the  idea  of  perfected  existence.  In  a  beautiful  tree, 
such  as  a  fine  American  elm,  we  see  also  the  most  complete 
and  perfect  balance  of  all  its  parts,  resulting  from  its 
growth  under  the  most  favorable  influences.  It  realizes, 
then,  perfectly,  the  finest  form  of  a  fine  type  or  species  ot 
tree. 

But  all  nature  is  not  equally  Beautiful.  Both  in  living 
things  and  in  inorganized  matter,  we  see  on  all  sides  evi- 
dences of  nature  struggling  with  opposing  forces.  Moun- 
tains are  upheaved  by  convulsions,  valleys  are  broken  into 
fearful  chasms.  Certain  forms  of  animal  and  vegetable  life 
instead  of  manifesting  themselves  in  those  more  complete 
and  perfect  forms  of  existence  where  the  matter  and  spirit 
are  almost  in  perfect  harmony,  appear  to  struggle  for  the 
full  expression  of  their  character  with  the  material  form, 
and  to  express  it  only  with  difficulty  at  last.  What  is 
achieved  with  harmony,  grace,  dignity,  almost  with  appa- 
rent repose,  by  existences  whose  type  is  the  Beautiful,  is 
done  only  with  violence  and  disturbed  action  by  the  former. 
This  kind  of  manifestation  in  nature  we  call  the  Pictures- 
que. 

More  concisely,  the  Beautiful  is  nature  or  art  obeying 
the  universal  laws  of  perfect  existence  (i.  e.  Beauty), 
easily,  freely,  harmoniously,  and  without  the  display  of 
power.  The  Picturesque  is  nature  or  art  obeying  the  same 
laws  rudely,  violently,  irregularly,  and  often  displaying 
power  only. 


54 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Hence  we  find  all  Beautiful  forms  characterized  by  curved 
and  flowing  lines — lines  expressive  of  infinity,*  of  grace, 
and  willing  obedience  :  and  all  Picturesque  forms  character 
ized  by  irregular  and  broken  lines — lines  expressive  of  vio- 
lence, abrupt  action,  and  partial  disobedience,  a  strug- 
gling of  the  idea  with  the  substance  or  the  condition  of  its 
being.  The  Beautiful  is  an  idea  of  beauty  calmly  and  har- 
moniously expressed  ;  the  Picturesque  an  idea  of  beauty  or 
power  strongly  and  irregularly  expressed.  As  an  example 
of  the  Beautiful  in  other  arts  we  refer  to  the  Apollo  of  the 
Vatican  ;  as  an  example  of  the  Picturesque,  to  the  Laocoon 
or  the  Dying  Gladiator.  In  nature  we  would  place  before 
the  reader  a  finely  formed  elm  or  chestnut,  whose  wel 
balanced  head  is  supported  on  a  trunk  full  of  symmetry  and 
dignity,  and  whose  branches  almost  sweep  the  turf  in  their 
rich  luxuriance  ;  as  a  picturesque  contrast,  some  pine  or 
larch,  whose  gnarled  roots  grasp  the  rocky  crag  on  which  it 
grows,  and  whose  wild  and  irregular  branches  tell  of  the 
storm  and  tempest  that  it  has  so  often  struggled  against.f 

In  pictures,  too,  one  often  hears  the  Beautiful  confounded 
with  the  Picturesque.  Yet  they  are  quite  distinct ;  though 
in  many  subjects  they  may  be  found  harmoniously  com- 
bined. Some  of  Raphael's  angels  may  be  taken  as  perfect 
illustrations  of  the  Beautiful.    In  their  serene  and  heavenly 

*  Hogarth  called  the  curve  the  line  of  beauty,  and  all  artists  have  felt  instinct- 
vely  its  power,  but  Mr.  Ruskin  (in  Modern  Painters)  was,  we  believe,  the 
first  to  suggest  the  cause  of  that  power — that  it  expresses  in  its  varying  ten- 
dencies, the  infinite. 

f  This  also  explains  why  trees,  though  they  retain  for  the  most  part  their 
characteristic  forms,  vary  somewhat  in  expression  according  to  their  situation. 
Thus  the  larch,  though  always  picturesque,  is  far  more  so  in  mountain  ridges 
where  it  is  exposed  to  every  blast,  than  in  sheltered  lawns  where  it  only  finds 
»K)ft  airs  and  sunshine. 


BEAUTIES   AND   PRINCIPLES   OF   THE    ART.  55 


countenances  we  see  only  that  calm  and  pure  existence  ot 
which  perfect  beauty  is  the  outward  type ;  on  the  other  hand, 
Murillo's  beggar  boys  are  only  picturesque.  What  we  ad- 
mire in  them  (beyond  admirable  execution)  is  not  their  rags 
or  their  mean  apparel,  but  a  certain  irregular  struggling 
of  a  better  feeling  within,  against  this  outward  poverty  of 
nature  and  condition. 

Architecture  borrows,  partly  perhaps  by  association,  the 
same  expression.  We  find  the  Beautiful  in  the  most  sym- 
metrical edifices,  built  in  the  finest  proportions,  and  of  the 
purest  materials.  It  is,  on  the  other  hand,  in  some  irregu- 
lar castle  formed  for  defence,  some  rude  mill  nearly  as  wild  as 
the  glen  where  it  is  placed,  some  thatched  cottage,  weather 
stained  and  moss  covered,  that  we  find  the  Picturesque. 
The  Temple  of  Jupiter  Olympus  in  all  its  perfect  proportions 
was  prized  by  the  Greeks  as  a  model  of  beauty ;  we,  who 
see  only  a  few  columns  and  broken  architraves  standing 
with  all  their  exquisite  mouldings  obliterated  by  the  vio 
lence  of  time  and  the  elements,  find  them  Picturesque. 

To  return  to  a  more  practical  view  of  the  subject, 
we  may  remark,  that  though  we  consider  the  Beautiful  and 
the  Picturesque  quite  distinct,  yet  it  by  no  means  follows 
that  they  may  not  be  combined  in  the  same  landscape. 
This  is  often  seen  in  nature  ;  and  indeed  there  are  few 
landscapes  of  large  extent  where  they  are  not  thus  harmo- 
niously combined. 

But  it  must  be  remembered,  that  while  Landscape  Gar- 
dening is  an  imitation  of  nature,  yet  it  is  rarely  attempted 
on  so  large  a  scale  as  to  be  capable  of  the  same  extended 
harmony  and  variety  of  expression  ;  and  also,  that  in  Land- 
scape Gardening  as  in  the  other  fine  arts,  we  shall  be  more 
successful  by  directing  our  efforts  towards  the  production 


56 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


of  a  leading  character  or  expression,  than  by  endeavor- 
ing to  join  and  harmonize  several. 

Our  own  views  on  this  subject  are  simply  these.  When 
a  place  is  small,  and  only  permits  a  single  phase  of  natural 
expression,  always  endeavor  to  heighten  or  to  make  that 
single  expression  predominate ;  it  should  clearly  either  aim 
only  at  the  Beautiful  or  the  Picturesque. 

When,  on  the  contrary,  an  estate  of  large  size  comes 
within  the  scope  of  the  Landscape  Gardener,  he  is  at  liberty 
to  give  to  each  separate  scene  its  most  fitting  character ; 
he  will  thus,  if  he  is  a  skilful  artist,  be  able  to  create  great 
variety  both  of  beautiful  and  picturesque  expression,  and 
he  will  also  be  able  to  give  a  higher  proof  of  his  power,  viz. 
by  uniting  all  those  scenes  into  one  whole,  by  bringing 
them  all  into  harmony.  An  artist  who  can  do  this  has 
reached  the  ultimatum  of  his  art 

Again  and  again  has  it  been  said,  that  Landscape  Gar- 
dening and  Painting  are  allied.  In  no  one  point  does  it  ap- 
pear to  us  that  they  are  so,  more  than  in  this — that  in  pro- 
portion to  the  limited  nature  of  the  subject  should  simpli- 
city and  unity  of  expression  be  remembered.  In  some  of 
the  finest  smaller  compositions  of  Raphael,  or  some  of  the 
Landscapes  of  Claude,  so  fully  is  this  borne  in  mind,  that 
every  object,  however  small,  seems  to  be  instinct  with  the 
same  expression  ;  while  in  many  of  the  great  historical 
pictures,  unity  and  harmony  are  wrought  out  of  the  most 
complex  variety  of  expression. 

We  must  not  be  supposed  to  find  in  nature  only  the 
Beautiful  and  the  Picturesque.  Grandeur  and  Sublimity 
are  also  expressions  strongly  marked  in  many  of  the  noblest 
portions  of  natural  landscape.  But,  except  in  very  rare 
instances,  they  are  wholly  beyond  the  powers  of  the  land- 
scape gardener,  at  least  in  the  comparatively  limited  scale 


BEAUTIES   AND   PRINCIPLES   OF   THE  ART. 


57 


of  his  operations  in  this  country.  All  that  he  has  to  do,  is 
to  respect  them  where  they  exist  in  natural  landscape  which 
forms  part  of  his  work  of  art,  and  so  treat  the  latter,  as 
to  make  it  accord  with,  or  at  least  not  violate,  the  higher 
and  predominant  expression  of  the  whole. 

There  are,  however,  certain  subordinate  expressions 
which  may  be  considered  as  qualities  of  the  Beautiful,  and 
which  may  originally  so  prevail  in  natural  landscape,  or  be 
so  elicited  or  created  by  art,  as  to  give  a  distinct  character 
to  a  small  country  residence,  or  portions  of  a  large  one. 
These  are  simplicity,  dignity,  grace,  elegance,  gaiety, 
chasteness,  &c.  It  is  not  necessary  that  we  should  go 
into  a  labored  explanation  of  these  expressions.  They  are 
more  or  less  familiar  to  all.  A  few  fine  trees,  scattered 
and  grouped  over  any  surface  of  smooth  lawn,  will  give  a 
character  of  simple  beauty;  lofty  trees  of  great  age, 
hills  covered  with  rich  wood,  an  elevation  commanding  a 
wide  country,  stamp  a  site  with  dignity  ;  trees  of  full  and 
graceful  habit  or  gently  curving  forms  in  the  lawn,  walks, 
and  all  other  objects,  will  convey  the  idea  of  grace  ;  as 
finely  formed  and  somewhat  tall  trees  of  rare  species,  or  a 
great  abundance  of  bright  climbers  and  gay  flowering  shrubs 
and  plants,  will  confer  characters  of  elegance  and  gaiety. 

He  who  would  create  in  his  pleasure  grounds  these  more 
delicate  shades  of  expression,  must  become  a  profound  stu- 
dent both  of  nature  and  art ;  he  must  be  able,  by  his 
own  original  powers,  to  seize  the  subtle  essence,  the  half 
disclosed  idea  involved  in  the  finest  parts  of  nature,  and  to 
reproduce  and  develope  it  in  his  Landscape  Garden. 

Leaving  such,  however,  to  a  broader  range  of  study  than 
a  volume  like  this  would  afford,  we  may  offer  what,  per- 
haps, will  not  be  unacceptable  to  the  novice — a  more  de- 


58 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


tailed  sketch  of  the  distinctive  features  of  the  Beautiful  and 
the  Picturesque,  as  these  expressions  should  be  embodied 
in  Landscape  Gardening. 

The  Beautiful  in  Landscape  Gardening  (Fig.  13)  is 
produced  by  outlines  whose  curves  are  flowing  and  gradual, 
surfaces  of  softness,  and  growth  of  richness  and  luxuriance. 
In  the  shape  of  the  ground,  it  is  evinced  by  easy  undulations 
melting  gradually  into  each  other.  In  the  form  of  trees,  by 
smooth  stems,  full,  round,  or  symmetrical  heads  of  foliage, 
and  luxuriant  branches  often  drooping  to  the  ground, — which 
is  chiefly  attained  by  planting  and  grouping,  to  allow  free 
development  of  form  ;  and  by  selecting  trees  of  suitable  cha- 
racter, as  the  elm,  the  ash,  and  the  like.  In  walks  and 
roads,  by  easy  flowing  curves,  following  natural  shapes  of 
the  surface,  with  no  sharp  angles  or  abrupt  turns.  In  water, 
by  the  smooth  lake  with  curved  margin,  embellished  with 
flowing  outlines  of  trees,  and  full  masses  of  flowering 
shrubs — or  in  the  easy  winding  curves  of  a  brook.  The 
keeping  of  such  a  scene  should  be  of  the  most  polished 
kind, — grass  mown  into  a  softness  like  velvet,  gravel  walks 
scrupulously  firm,  dry,  and  clean;  and  the  most  perfect 
order  and  neatness  should  reign  throughout.  Among  the 
trees  and  shrubs  should  be  conspicuous  the  finest  foreign 
sorts,  distinguished  by  beauty  of  form,  foliage,  and  blossom  ; 
and  rich  groups  of  shrubs  and  flowering  plants  should  be 
arranged  in  the  more  dressed  portions  near  the  house. 
And  finally,  considering  the  house  itself  as  a  feature  in  the 
scene,  it  should  properly  belong  to  one  of  the  classical 
modes  ;  and  the  Italian,  Tuscan,  or  Venetian  forms  are 
preferable,  because  these  have  both  a  polished  and  a 
domestic  air,  and  readily  admit  of  the  graceful  accom- 
paniments of  vases,  urns,  and  other  harmonious 
accessories.    Or,  if  we  are  to  have  a  plainer  dwelling, 


a.  10.— Example  of  the  Picturesque  in  Landscape  Gardening. 


BEAUTIES   AND   PRINCIPLES   OF   THE   ART.  59 

it  should  be  simple  and  symmetrical  in  its  character,  and 
its  veranda  festooned  with  masses  of  the  finest  climbers. 

The  Picturesque  in  Landscape  Gardening  (Fig.  14) 
aims  at  the  production  of  outlines  of  a  certain  spirited 
irregularity,  surfaces  comparatively  abrupt  and  broken, 
and  growth  of  a  somewhat  wild  and  bold  character.  The 
shape  of  the  ground  sought  after,  has  its  occasional 
smoothness  varied  by  sudden  variations,  and  in  parts  runs 
into  dingles,  rocky  groups,  and  broken  banks.  The  trees 
should  in  many  places  be  old  and  irregular,  with  rough 
stems  and  bark  ;  and  pines,  larches,  and  other  trees  of 
striking,  irregular  growth,  must  appear  in  numbers  sufficient 
to  give  character  to  the  woody  outlines.  As,  to  produce 
the  Beautiful,  the  trees  are  planted  singly  in  open  groups 
to  allow  full  expansion,  so  for  the  Picturesque,  the  grouping 
takes  every  variety  of  form ;  almost  every  object  should 
group  with  another  ;  trees  and  shrubs  are  often  planted 
closely  together  ;  and  intricacy  and  variety — thickets — ■ 
glades — and  underwood — as  in  wild  nature,  are  indispensa- 
ble. Walks  and  roads  are  more  abrupt  in  their  windings, 
turning  off  frequently  at  sudden  angles  where  the  form  of 
the  ground  or  some  inviting  object  directs.  In  water,  all 
the  wildness  of  romantic  spots  in  nature  is  to  be  imitated 
or  preserved ;  and  the  lake  or  stream  with  bold  shore  and 
rocky,  wood-fringed  margin,  or  the  cascade  in  the  secluded 
dell,  are  the  characteristic  forms.  The  keeping  of  such  a 
landscape  will  of  course  be  less  careful  than  in  the 
graceful  school.  Firm  gravel  walks  near  the  house,  and 
a  general  air  of  neatness  in  that  quarter,  are  indispensable 
to  the  fitness  of  the  scene  in  all  modes,  and  indeed  properly 
evince  the  recognition  of  art  in  all  Landscape  Gardening. 
But  the  lawn  may  be  less  frequently  mown,  the  edges  of 


60 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


the  walks  less  carefully  trimmed,  where  the  Picturesque 
prevails  ;  while  in  portions  more  removed  from  the  house, 
the  walks  may  sometimes  sink  into  a  mere  footpath 
without  gravel,  and  the  lawn  change  into  the  forest  glade 
or  meadow.  The  architecture  which  belongs  to  the 
picturesque  landscape,  is  the  Gothic  mansion,  the  old 
English  or  the  Swiss  cottage,  or  some  other  striking 
forms,  with  bold  projections,  deep  shadows,  and  irregular 
outlines.  Rustic  baskets,  and  similar  ornaments,  may 
abound  near  the  house,  and  in  the  more  frequented  parts 
of  the  place. 

The  recognition  of  art,  as  Loudon  justly  observes,  is  a 
first  principle  in  Landscape  Gardening,  as  in  all  other  arts  ; 
and  those  of  its  professors  have  erred,  who  supposed  that 
the  object  of  this  art  is  merely  to  produce  a  fac-simile  of 
nature,  that  could  not  be  distinguished  from  a  wild  scene. 
But  we  contend  that  this  principle  may  be  fully  attained 
with  either  expression — the  picturesque  cottage  being  as 
well  a  work  of  art  as  the  classic  villa ;  its  baskets,  and 
seats  of  rustic  work,  indicating  the  hand  of  man  as  well 
as  the  marble  vase  and  balustrade  ;  and  a  walk,  sometimes 
narrow  and  crooked,  is  as  certainly  recognised  as  man's 
work,  as  one  always  regular  and  flowing.  Foreign  trees 
of  picturesque  growth  are  as  readily  obtained  as  those  of 
beautiful  forms.  The  recognition  of  art  is,  therefore, 
always  apparent  in  both  modes.  The  evidences  are 
indeed  stronger  and  more  multiplied  in  the  careful  polish 
of  the  Beautiful  landscape,*  and  hence  many  prefer  this 

*  The  beau  ideal  in  Landscape  Gardening,  as  a  fine  art,  appears  to  us  to  be 
embraced  in  the  creation  of  scenery  full  of  expression,  as  the  beautiful  or  pic- 
turesque, the  materials  of  which  are,  to  a  certain  extent,  different  from  those  in 
wild  nature,  being  composed  of  the  floral  and  arboricultural  riches  of  all  climates, 
as  far  as  possible  ;  uniting  in  the  same  scene,  a  richness  and  a  variety  never  to 


BEAUTIES   AND   PRINCIPLES   OF   THE  ART. 


61 


species  of  landscape,  not,  as  it  deserves  to  be  preferred, 
because  it  displays  the  most  beautiful  and  perfect  ideas  in 
its  outlines,  the  forms  of  its  trees,  and  all  that  enters  into 
its  composition,  but  chiefly  because  it  also  is  marked  by 
that  careful  polish,  and  that  completeness,  which  imply 
the  expenditure  of  money,  which  they  so  well  know  how 
to  value. 

If  we  declare  that  the  Beautiful  is  the  more  perfect 
expression  in  landscape,  we  shall  be  called  upon  to  explain 
why  the  Picturesque  is  so  much  more  attractive  to  many 
minds.  This,  we  conceive,  is  owing;  oartly  to  the  imper- 
fection of  our  natures  by  which  most  of  us  sympathize 
more  with  that  in  which  the  struggle  between  spirit  and 
matter  is  most  apparent,  than  with  that  in  which  the 
union  is  harmonious  and  complete ;  and  partly  because 
from  the  comparative  rarity  of  highly  picturesque  land- 
scape, it  affects  us  more  forcibly  when  brought  into 
contrast  with  our  daily  life.  Artists,  we  imagine,  find 
somewhat  of  the  same  pleasure  in  studying  wild  land- 
scape, where  the  very  rocks  and  trees  seem  to  struggle 
with  the  elements  for  foothold,  that  they  do  in  contem- 
plating the  phases  of  the  passions  and  instincts  of 
human  and  animal  life.  The  manifestation  of  power  is 
to  many  minds  far  more  captivating  than  that  of  beauty. 

All  who  enjoy  the  charms  of  Landscape  Gardening, 
may  perhaps  be  divided  into  three  classes  :  those  who  have 
arrived  only  at  certain  primitive  ideas  of  beauty  which 
are  found  in  regular  forms  and  straight  lines ;  those  who 
in  the  Beautiful  seek  for  the  highest  and  most  perfect 

be  found  in  any  one  portion  of  nature  ; — a  scene  characterized  as  a  work  of  art, 
by  the  variety  of  the  materials,  as  foreign  trees,  plants,  &c,  and  by  the  polish 
and  keeping  of  the  grounds  in  the  natural  style,  as  distinctly  as  by  the  uniform 
»nd  symmetrical  arrangement  in  the  ancient  style. 


02 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


development  of  the  idea  in  the  material  form  ; 
and  those  who  in  the  Picturesque  enjoy  most  a  certain 
wild  and  incomplete  harmony  between  the  idea  and  the 
forms  in  which  it  is  expressed. 

As  the  two  latter  classes  embrace  the  whole  range 
of  modern  Landscape  Gardening,  we  shall  keep  distinctly 
in  view  their  two  governing  principles — the  Beautiful  and 
the  Picturesque,  in  treating  of  the  practice  of  the  art. 

There  are  always  circumstances  which  must  exert  a 
controlling  influence  over  amateurs,  in  this  country,  in 
choosing  between  the  two.  These  are,  fixed  locality,  ex- 
Dense,  individual  preference  in  the  style  of  building,  and 
many  others  which  readily  occur  to  all.  The  great  variety 
of  attractive  sites  in  the  older  parts  of  the  country,  afford  an 
abundance  of  opportunity  for  either  taste  Within  the  lasl 
five  years,  we  think  the  Picturesque  is  beginning  to  be  pre- 
ferred. It  has,  when  a  suitable  locality  offers,  great  advan- 
tages for  us.  The  raw  materials  of  wood,  water,  and  sur- 
face, by  the  margin  of  many  of  our  rivers  and  brooks,  are 
at  once  appropriated  with  so  much  effect,  and  so  little  art, 
in  the  picturesque  mode  ;  the  annual  tax  on  the  purse  too 
is  so  comparatively  little,  and  the  charm  so  great ! 

While,  on  one  hand,  the  residences  of  a  country  of  level 
plains  usually  allow  only  the  beauty  of  simple  and  grace- 
ful forms ;  the  larger  demesne,  with  its  swelling  hills  and 
noble  masses  of  wood  (may  we  not,  prospectively,  say  the 
rolling  prairie  too  ?),  should  always,  in  the  hands  of  the 
man  of  wealth,  be  made  to  display  all  the  breadth,  va- 
riety, and  harmony  of  both  the  Beautiful  and  the  Pictu- 
resque. 

There  is  no  surface  of  ground,  however  bare,  which  has 
not,  naturally,  more  or  less  tendency  to  one  or  the  other  of 
these  expressions.    And  the  improver  who  detects  the  true 


BEAUTIES   AND   PRINCIPLES   OF   THE  ART. 


63 


character,  and  plants,  builds,  and  embellishes,  as  he  should, 
constantly  aiming  to  elicit  and  strengthen  it — will  soon 
arrive  at  a  far  higher  and  more  satisfactory  result,  than  one 
who,  in  the  common  manner,  works  at  random.  The  latter 
may  succeed  in  producing  pleasing  grounds — he  will  un- 
doubtedly add  to  the  general  beauty  and  tasteful  appearance 
of  the  country,  and  we  gladly  accord  him  our  thanks.  But 
the  improver  who  unites  with  pleasing  forms  an  expres- 
sion of  sentiment,  will  affect  not  only  the  common  eye,  but 
much  more  powerfully,  the  imagination,  and  the  refined 
and  delicate  taste. 

But  there  are  many  persons  with  small  cottage  places, 
of  little  decided  character,  who  have  neither  room,  time 
iior  income,  to  attempt  the  improvement  of  their  grounds 
fully,  after  either  of  those  two  schools.  How  shall  they 
render  their  places  tasteful  and  agreeable,  in  the  easiest 
manner  ?  We  answer,  by  attempting  only  the  simple  and 
the  natural ;  and  the  unfailing  way  to  secure  this,  is  by 
employing  as  leading  features  only  trees  and  grass.  A 
soft  verdant  lawn,  a  few  forest  or  ornamental  trees 
well  grouped,  walks,  and  a  few  flowers,  give  universal 
pleasure  ;  they  contain  in  themselves,  in  fact,  the  basis  of 
all  our  agreeable  sensations  in  a  landscape  garden  (na- 
tural beauty,  and  the  recognition  of  art)  ;  and  they  are 
the  most  enduring  sources  of  enjoyment  in  any  place. 
There  are  no  country  seats  in  the  United  States  so  unsa- 
tisfactory and  tasteless,  as  those  in  which,  without  any 
definite  aim,  everything  is  attempted ;  and  a  mixed  jumble 
of  discordant  forms,  materials,  ornaments,  and  decorations, 
is  assembled — a  part  in  one  style  and  a  bit  in  another, 
without  the  least  feeling  of  unity  or  congruity.  These 
rural  bedlams,  full  of  all  kinds  of  absurdities,  without  a 
leading  character  or  expression  of  any  sort,  cost  their 


G4 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


owners  a  vast  deal  of  trouble  and  money,  without  giving  a 
tasteful  mind  a  shadow  of  the  beauty  which  it  feels  at  the 
first  glimpse  of  a  neat  cottage  residence,  with  its  simple, 
sylvan  character  of  well  kept  lawn  and  trees.  If  the  latter 
does  not  rank  high  in  the  scale  of  Landscape  Gardening 
as  an  art,  it  embodies  much  of  its  essence  as  a  source  of 
enjoyment — the  production  of  the  Beautiful  in  country 
residences. 

Besides  the  beauties  of  form  and  expression  in  the  differ- 
ent modes  of  laying  out  grounds,  there  are  certain  univer- 
sal and  nherent  beauties  common  to  all  styles,  and,  indeed, 
to  every  composition  in  the  fine  arts.  Of  these,  we  shall 
especially  point  out  those  growing  out  of  the  principles  of 

UNITY,  HARMONY,  and  VARIETY. 

Unity,  or  the  production  of  a  whole,  is  a  leading 
principle  of  the  highest  importance,  in  every  art  of  taste  or 
design,  without  which  no  satisfactory  result  can  be 
realized.  This  arises  from  the  fact,  that  the  mind  can  only 
attend,  with  pleasure  and  satisfaction,  to  one  object,  or  one 
composite  sensation,  at  the  same  time.  If  two  distinct 
objects,  or  classes  of  objects,  present  themselves  at  once  to 
us,  we  can  only  attend  satisfactorily  to  one,  by  withdraw- 
ing our  attention  for  the  time  from  the  other.  Hence  the 
necessity  of  a  reference  to  this  leading  principle  of  unity. 

To  illustrate  the  subject,  let  us  suppose  a  building, 
partially  built  of  wood,  with  square  windows,  and  the 
remainder  of  brick  or  stone,  with  long  and  narrow 
windows.  However  well  such  a  building  may  be  con- 
structed, or  however  nicely  the  different  proportions  of  the 
edifice  may  be  adjusted,  it  is  evident  it  can  never  form  a 
satisfactory  whole.  The  mind  can  only  account  for  such 
an  absurdity,  by  supposing  it  to  have  been  built  by  two 


KEAUTIES   AND   PRINCIPLES   OF  THE   AKT.  65 

individuals,  or  at  two  different  times,  as  there  is  nothing 
indicating  unity  of  mind  in  its  composition. 

In  Landscape  Gardening,  violations  of  the  principle  of 
unity  are  often  to  be  met  with,  and  they  are  always  indi- 
cative of  the  absence  of  correct  taste  in  art.  Looking  upon 
a  landscape  from  the  windows  of  a  villa  residence,  we 
sometimes  see  a  considerable  portion  of  the  view  embraced 
by  the  eye,  laid  out  in  natural  groups  of  trees  and  shrubs, 
and  upon  one  side,  or  perhaps  in  the  middle  of  the  same 
scene,  a  formal  avenue  leading  directly  up  to  the  house. 
Such  a  view  can  never  appear  a  satisfactory  whole, 
because  we  experience  a  confusion  of  sensations  in  con- 
templatmg  it.  There  is  an  evident  incongruity  in  bringing 
two  modes  of  arranging  plantations,  so  totally  different, 
under  the  eye  at  one  moment,  which  distracts,  rather  than 
pleases  the  mind.  In  this  example,  the  avenue,  taken  by 
itself,  may  be  a  beautiful  object,  and  the  groups  and  con- 
nected masses  may,  in  themselves,  be  elegant ;  yet  if  the 
two  portions  are  seen  together,  they  will  not  form  a  whole, 
because  they  cannot  make  a  composite  idea.  For  the 
same  reason,  there  is  something  unpleasing  in  the  introduc- 
tion of  fruit  trees  among  elegant  ornamental  trees  on  a 
lawn,  or  even  in  assembling  together,  in  the  same  beds, 
flowering  plants  and  culinary  vegetables — one  class  of 
vegetation  suggesting  the  useful  and  homely  alone  to  the 
mind,  and  the  other,  avowedly,  only  the  ornamental. 

In  the  arrangement  of  a  large  extent  of  surface,  where  a 

great  many  objects  are  necessarily  presented  to  the  eye  at 

once,  the  principle  of  unity  will  suggest  that  there  should 

be  some  grand  or  leading  features  to  which  the  others 

should  be  merely  subordinate.    Thus,  in  grouping  trees, 

there  should  be  some  large  and  striking  masses  to  which 

the  others  appear  to  belong,  however  distant,  instead  of 
5 


06 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


scattered  groups,  all  of  the  same  size.  Even  in  arranging 
walks,  a  whole  will  more  readily  be  recognised,  if  there  are 
one  or  two  of  large  size,  with  which  the  others  appear 
connected  as  branches,  than  if  all  are  equal  in  breadth, 
and  present  the  same  appearance  to  the  eye  in  passing. 

In  all  works  of  art  which  command  universal  admiration 
we  discover  an  unity  of  conception  and  composition,  an 
unity  of  taste  and  execution.  To  assemble  in  a  single 
composition  forms  which  are  discordant,  and  portions 
dissimilar  in  plan,  can  only  afford  pleasure  for  a  short  time 
to  tasteless  minds,  or  those  fona  of  trifling  and  puerile 
conceits.  The  production  of  an  accordant  whole  is,  on 
the  contrary,  capable  of  affording  the  most  permanent 
enjoyment  to  educated  minds,  everywhere,  and  at  all  periods 
of  time. 

After  unity,  the  principle  of  Variety  is  worthy  of  con- 
sideration, as  a  fertile  source  of  beauty  in  Landscape  Gar- 
dening. Variety  must  be  considered  as  belonging  more  to 
the  details  than  to  the  production  of  a  whole,  and  it  may 
be  attained  by  disposing  trees  and  shrubs  in  numerous  dif- 
ferent ways  ;  and  by  the  introduction  of  a  great  number  ol 
different  species  of  vegetation,  or  kinds  of  walks,  ornamental 
objects,  buildings,  and  seats.  By  producing  intricacy,  it 
creates  in  scenery  a  thousand  points  of  interest,  and  elicits 
new  beauties,  through  different  arrangements  and  combi- 
nations of  forms  and  colors,  light  and  shades.  In  pleasure- 
grounds,  while  the  whole  should  exhibit  a  general  plan,  the 
different  scenes  presented  to  the  eye,  one  after  the  other, 
should  possess  sufficient  variety  in  the  detail  to  keep  alive 
the  interest  of  the  spectator,  and  awaken  further  curiosity. 

Harmony  may  be  considered  the  principle  presiding  over 
variety,  and  preventing  it  from  becoming  discordant.  It, 
indeed,  always  supposes  contrasts,  but  neither  so  strong  nor 


BEAUTIES   AND   PRINCIPLES   CF   THE  ART. 


so  frequent  as  to  produce  discord  ;  and  variety,  but  not  so 
great  as  to  destroy  a  leading  expression.  In  plantations, 
we  seek  it  in  a  combination  of  qualities,  opposite  in  some 
respects,  as  in  the  color  of  the  foliage,  and  similar  in  others 
more  important,  as  the  form.  In  embellishments,  by  a  great 
variety  of  objects  of  interest,  as  sculptured  vases,  sun  dials, 
or  rustic  seats,  baskets,  and  arbors,  of  different  forms,  but  all 
in  accordance,  or  keeping  with  the  spirit  of  the  scene. 

To  illustrate  the  three  principles,  with  reference  to  Land- 
scape Gardening,  we  may  remark,  that,  if  unity  only  were 
consulted,  a  scene  might  be  planted  with  but  one  kind  of 
tree,  the  effect  of  which  would  be  sameness ;  on  the  other 
hand,  variety  might  be  carried  so  far  as  to  have  every  tree 
of  a  different  kind,  which  would  produce  a  confused  effect. 
Harmony,  however,  introduces  contrast  and  variety,  but 
keeps  them  subordinate  to  unity,  and  to  the  leading  expres 
sion ;  and  is,  thus,  the  highest  principle  of  the  three. 

In  this  brief  abstract  of  the  nature  of  imitation  in  Land- 
scape Gardening  and  the  kinds  of  beauty  which  it  is  possible 
to  produce  by  means  of  the  art,  we  have  endeavored  to 
elucidate  its  leading  principles,  clearly,  to  the  reader. 
These  grand  principles  we  shall  here  succinctly  recapitu- 
late, premising  that  a  familiarity  with  them  is  of  the  very 
first  importance  in  the  successful  practice  of  this  elegant 
art,  viz.  :  ' 

The  Imitation  of  the  Beauty  of  Expression,  derived 
from  a  refined  perception  of  the  sentiment  of  nature  :  The 
Recognition  of  Art,  founded  on  the  immutability  of  the 
true,  as  well  as  the  beautiful  :  And  the  Production  of 
Unity,  Harmony,  and  Variety,  in  order  to  render  com- 
plete and  continuous,  our  enjoyment  of  any  artistical 
work. 


GS 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Neither  the  professional  Landscape  Gardener,  nor  the 
amateur,  can  hope  for  much  success  in  realizing  the  nobler 
effects  of  the  art,  unless  he  first  make  himself  master  of  the 
natural  character  or  prevailing  expression  of  the  place  to 
be  improved.  In  this  nice  perception,  at  a  glance,  of  the 
natural  expression,  as  well  as  the  capabilities  of  a  residence, 
lies  the  secret  of  the  superior  results  produced  even  by  the 
improver,  who,  to  use  the  words  of  Horace  Walpole,  "  is 
proud  of  no  other  art  than  that  of  softening  nature's  harsh- 
ness, and  copying  her  graceful  touch."  When  we  discover 
the  picturesque  indicated  in  the  grounds  of  the  residence  to 
be  treated,  let  us  take  advantage  of  it ;  and  while  all  harsh- 
ness incompatible  with  scenery  near  the  house  is  removed, 
the  original  expression  may  in  most  cases  be  heightened,  in 
all  rendered  more  elegant  and  appropriate,  without  lower- 
ing it  in  force  or  spirit.  In  like  manner  good  taste  will 
direct  us  to  embellish  scenery  expressive  of  the  Beautiful, 
by  the  addition  of  forms,  whether  ?n  trees,  buildings,  or 
other  objects,  harmonious  in  character,  as  well  as  in  color 
and  outline. 


ON   WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


69 


SECTION  III. 


ON  WOOD. 

The  beauty  of  Trees  in  Rural  Embellishments.  Pleasure  resulting  from  their  cultivation 
Plantations  in  the  Ancient  Style  ;  their  formality.  In  the  Modern  Style  ;  grouping  trees 
Arrangement  and  grouping  in  the  Graceful  school ;  in  the  Picturesque  sch<iol.  Illnstra 
tions  in  planting  villa,  ferme  ornee,  and  cottage  grounds.  General  classification  of  tre«» 
as  to  forms,  with  leading  characteristics  of  each  class. 

"  He  gains  all  points,  who  pleasingly  confounds, 
Surprises,  varies,  and  conceals  the  bounds. 
Calls  in  the  country,  catches  opening  glades, 
Joins  willing  woods,  and  varies  shades  from  shades  ; 
Now  breaks,  or  now  directs  the  intending  lines  ; 
Paints  as  you  plant,  and,  as  you  work,  designs." 

Pope. 


M  O  N  G  all  the  materials  at  our  disposal 
for  the  embellishment  of  country  resi- 
dences, none  are  at  once  so  highly  orna- 
mental, so  indispensable,  and  so  easily  managed,  as  trees,  or 
wood.  We  introduce  them  in  every  part  of  the  landscape, 
— in  the  foreground  as  well  as  in  the  distance,  on  the  tops 
of  the  hills  and  in  the  depths  of  the  valleys.  They  are,  in- 
deed, like  the  drapery  which  covers  a  somewhat  ungainly 
figure,  and  while  it  conceals  its  defects,  communicates  to  it 
new  interest  and  expression. 

A  tree,  undoubtedly,  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  objects 
in  nature.  Airy  and  delicate  in  its  youth,  luxuriant  and 
majestic  in  its  prime,  venerable  and  picturesque  in  its  old 


70 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


age,  it  constitutes  in  its  various  forms,  sizes,  and  develop- 
ments, the  greatest  charm  and  beauty  of  the  earth  in  all 
countries.  The  most  varied  outline  of  surface,  the  finest 
combination  of  picturesque  materials,  the  stateliest  country 
house  would  be  comparatively  tame  and  spiritless,  without 
the  inimitable  accompaniment  of  foliage.  Let  those  who 
have  passed  their  whole  lives  in  a  richly  wooded  country, 
— whose  daily  visions  are  deep  leafy  glens,  forest  clad  hills 
and  plains  luxuriantly  shaded, — transport  themselves  for  a 
moment  to  the  desert,  where  but  a  few  stunted  bushes  raise 
their  heads  above  the  earth,  or  those  wild  steppes  where 
the  eye  wanders  in  vain  for  some  "  leafy  garniture," — where 
the  sun  strikes  down  with  parching  heat,  or  the  wind 
sweeps  over  with  unbroken  fury,  and  they  may,  perhaps 
estimate,  by  contrast,  their  beauty  and  value. 

We  are  not  now  to  enumerate  the  great  usefulness  of 
trees, — their  value  in  the  construction  of  our  habitations, 
our  navies,  the  various  implements  of  labor, — in  short,  the 
thousand  associations  which  they  suggest  as  ministering  to 
our  daily  wants ;  but  let  us  imagine  the  loveliest  scene,  the 
wildest  landscape,  or  the  most  enchanting  valley,  despoiled 
of  trees,  and  we  shall  find  nature  shorn  of  her  fair  propor- 
tions, and  the  character  and  expression  of  these  favorite 
spots  almost  entirely  destroyed. 

Wood,  in  its  many  shapes,  is  then  one  of  the  greatest 
sources  of  interest  and  character  in  Landscapes.  Variety, 
which  we  need  scarcely  allude  to  as  a  fertile  source  of 
beauty,  is  created  in  a  wonderful  degree  by  a  natural 
arrangement  of  trees.  To  a  pile  of  buildings,  or  even  of 
ruins,  to  a  group  of  rocks  or  animals,  they  communicate 
new  life  and  spirit  by  their  irregular  outlines,  which,  by 
partially  concealing  some  portions,  and  throwing  others 


ON   WOOD  AND  PLANTATIONS. 


7! 


into  stronger  light,  contribute  greatly  to  produce  intricacy 
and  variety,  and  confer  an  expression,  which,  without  these 
latter  qualities,  might  in  a  great  measure  be  wanting.  By 
shutting  out  some  parts,  and  inclosing  others,  they  divide 
the  extent  embraced  by  the  eye  into  a  hundred  different 
landscapes,  instead  of  one  tame  scene  bounded  by  the 
horizon. 

The  different  seasons  of  the  year,  too,  are  inseparably 
connected  in  our  minds  with  the  effects  produced  by  them 
on  woodland  scenery.  Spring  is  joyous  and  enlivening  to 
us,  as  nature  then  puts  on  her  fresh  livery  of  green,  and  the 
trees  bud  and  blossom  with  a  renewed  beauty,  that  speaks 
with  a  mute  and  gentle  eloquence  to  the  heart.  In  sum- 
mer they  offer  us  a  gratsful  shelter  under  their  umbrageous 
arms  and  leafy  branches,  and  whisper  unwritten  music  to 
the  passing  breeze.  In  autumn  we  feel  a  melancholy 
thoughtfulness  as 

"  We  stand  among  the  fallen  leaves," 

and  gaze  upon  their  dying  glories.  And  in  winter  we  see 
in  them  the  silent  rest  of  nature,  and  behold  in  their  leaf- 
less spray,  and  seemingly  dead  limbs,  an  annual  type  of 
that  deeper  mystery — the  deathless  sleep  of  all  being. 

By  the  judicious  employment  of  trees  in  the  embellishment 
of  a  country  residence,  we  may  effect  the  greatest  alterations 
and  improvements  within  the  scope  of  Landscape  Garden- 
ing. Buildings  which  are  tame,  insipid,  or  even  mean  in 
appearance,  may  be  made  interesting,  and  often  picturesque, 
by  a  proper  disposition  of  trees.  Edifices,  or  parts  of  them 
that  are  unsightly,  or  which  it  is  desirable  partly  or  wholly 
to  conceal,  can  readily  be  hidden  or  improved  by  wood ; 
and  walks  and  roads,  which  otherwise  would  be  but  simple 


72 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


ways  of  approach  from  one  point  to  another,  are,  by  an 
elegant  arrangement  of  trees  on  their  margins,  or  adjacent 
to  them,  made  the  most  interesting  and  pleasing  portions  of 
the  residence. 

In  Geometric  gardening,  trees  disposed  in  formal  lines, 
exhibit  as  strongly  art  or  design  in  the  contriver,  as  regu- 
lar architectural  edifices ;  while,  in  a  more  elevated  and 
enlightened  taste,  we  are  able  to  dispose  them  in  our  plea- 
sure-grounds and  parks,  around  our  houses,  in  all  the  vari- 
ety of  groups,  masses,  thicket,  and  single  trees,  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  rival  the  most  beautiful  scenery  of  general 
nature ;  producing  a  portion  of  landscape  which  unites  with 
all  the  comforts  and  conveniences  of  rural  habitation,  the 
superior  charm  of  refined  arrangement,  and  natural  beauty 
of  expression. 

If  it  were  necessary  to  present  any  other  inducement 
to  the  country  gentleman  to  form  plantations  of  trees, 
than  the  great  beauty  and  value  which  they  add  to  his 
estate,  we  might  find  it  in  the  pleasure  which  all  derive 
from  their  cultivation.  Unlike  the  pleasure  arising  from 
the  gratification  of  our  taste  in  architecture,  or  any  other 
of  the  arts  whose  productions  are  offered  to  us  perfect 
and  complete,  the  satisfaction  arising  from  planting  and 
rearing  trees  is  never  weakened.  "  We  look,"  says  a 
writer,  "  upon  our  trees  as  our  offspring ;  and  nothing 
of  inanimate  nature  can  be  more  gratifying  than  to  see 
them  grow  and  prosper  under  our  care  and  attention, — 
nothing  more  interesting  than  to  examine  their  progress, 
and  mark  their  several  peculiarities.  In  their  progress 
from  plants  to  trees,  they  every  year  unfold  new  and 
characteristic  marks  of  their  ultimate  beauty,  which  not 
only  compensate  for  past  cares  and  troubles,  but  like  the 


OV   WOOD   AND   PLANTATIONS.  73 

returns  of  gratitude,  raise  a  most  delightful  train  of 
sensations  in  the  mind ;  so  innocent  and  rational,  that 
they  may  justly  rank  with  the  most  exquisite  of  human 
enjoyments." 

"  Happy  is  he,  who  in  a  country  life 
Shuns  more  perplexing  toil  and  jarring  strife; 
Who  lives  upon  the  natal  soil  he  loves, 
And  sits  beneath  his  old  ancestral  groves." 

To  this,  let  us  add  the  complacent  feelings  with  which  a 
man  in  old  age  may  look  around  him  and  behold  these 
leafy  monarchs,  planted  by  his  boyish  hands  and  nurtured 
by  him  in  his  youthful  years,  which  have  grown  aged  and 
venerable  along  with  him  ; 

"  A  wood  coeval  with  himself  he  sees, 
And  loves  his  own  contemporary  trees." 

Plantations  in  the  Ancient  Style.  In  the  arrange- 
ment and  culture  of  trees  and  plants  in  the  ancient  style 
of  Landscape  Gardening,  we  discover  the  evidences  of 
the  formal  taste,— abounding  with  every  possible  variety 
of  quaint  conceits,  and  rife  with  whimsical  expedients, 
so  much  in  fashion  during  the  days  of  Henry  and  Eliza- 
beth, and  until  the  eighteenth  century  in  England,  and 
which  is  still  the  reigning  mode  in  Holland,  and  parts  of 
France.  In  these  gardens,  nature  was  tamed  and  subdued, 
or  as  some  critics  will  have  it,  tortured  into  every  shape 
which  the  ingenuity  of  the  gardener  could  suggest ;  and 
such  kinds  of  vegetation  as  bore  the  shears  most  patiently, 
and  when  carefully  trimmed,  assumed  gradually  the 
appearance  of  verdant  statues,  pyramids,  crowing  cocks, 
and  rampant  lions,  were  the  especial  favorites  of  the 
gardeners  of  the  old  school. 


74 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


It  has  been  remarked,  that  the  geometric  style  would 
always  be  preferred  in  a  new  country,  or  in  any  country 
where  the  amount  of  land  under  cultivation  is  much  less 
than  that  covered  with  natural  woods  and  forests ;  as  the 
inhabitants  being  surrounded  by  scenery  abounding  with 
natural  beauty,  would  always  incline  to  lay  out  their  gar- 
dens and  pleasure-grounds  in  regular  forms,  because  the 
distinct  exhibition  of  art  would  give  more  pleasure  by  con- 
trast,  than  the  elegant  imitation  of  beautiful  nature.  That 
this  is  true  as  regards  the  mass  of  uncultivated  minds,  we 
do  not  deny.  But  at  the  same  time  we  affirm  that  it 
evinces  a  meagre  taste,  and  a  lower  state  of  the  art,  or  a 
lower  perception  of  beauty  in  the  individual  who  employs 
the  geometrical  style  in  such  cases.  A  person,  whose 
place  is  suriounded  by  inimitably  grand  or  sublime  scenery, 
would  undoubtedly  fail  to  excite  our  admiration,  by  at- 
tempting a  fac-simile  imitation  of  such  scenery  on  the  small 
scale  of  a  park  or  garden ;  but  he  is  not,  therefore,  obliged 
to  resort  to  right-lined  plantations  and  regular  grass  plots, 
to  produce  something  which  shall  be  at  once  sufficiently 
different  to  attract  notice,  and  so  beautiful  as  to  command 
admiration.  All  that  it  would  be  requisite  for  him  to  do 
in  such  a  case,  would  be  to  employ  rare  and  foreign  orna- 
mental trees ;  as  for  example,  the  horse-chestnut  and  the 
linden,  in  situations  where  the  maple  and  the  sycamore  are 
the  principal  trees, — elegant  flowering  shrubs  and  beautiful 
creepers,  instead  of  sumacs  and  hazels, — and  to  have  his 
place  kept  in  high  and  polished  order,  instead  of  the  tan- 
gled wildness  of  general  nature. 

On  the  contrary,  were  a  person  to  desire  a  residence 
newly  laid  out  and  planted,  in  a  district  where  all  around 
is  in  a  high  state  of  polished  cultivation,  as  in  the  suburbs 


ON   WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


75 


of  a  city,  a  species  of  pleasure  would  result  from  the  imita- 
tion of  scenery  of  a  more  spirited,  natural  character, 
as  the  picturesque,  in  his  grounds.  His  plantations  are 
made  in  irregular  groups,  composed  chiefly  of  picturesque 
trees,  as  the  larch,  &c. — his  walks  would  lead  through 
varied  scenes,  sometimes  bordered  with  groups  of  rocks 
overrun  with  flowering  creepers  and  vines  ;  sometimes 
vvith  thickets  or  little  copses  of  shrubs  and  flowering 
plants ;  sometimes  through  wild  and  comparatively  ne- 
glected portions  ;  the  whole  interspersed  with  open  glades 
of  turf. 

In  the  majDrity  of  instances  in  the  United  States,  the 
modern  style  of  Landscape  Gardening,  wherever  it  is  ap- 
preciated, will,  in  practice,  consist  in  arranging  a  demesne 
of  from  five  to  some  hundred  acres, — or  rather  that  portion 
of  it,  say  one  half,  one  third,  etc.,  devoted  to  lawn  and 
pleasure-ground,  pasture,  etc. — so  as  to  exhibit  groups  of 
forest  and  ornamental  trees  and  shrubs,  surrounding  the 
dwelling  of  the  proprietor,  and  extending  for  a  greater  or 
less  distance,  especially  towards  the  place  of  entrance  from 
the  public  highway.  Near  the  house,  good  taste  will  dic- 
tate the  assemblage  of  groups  and  masses  of  the  rarer  or 
more  beautiful  trees  and  shrubs ;  commoner  native  forest 
trees  occupying  the  more  distant  portions  of  the  grounds.* 

*  Although  we  love  planting,  and  avow  that  there  are  few  greater  pleasures 
than  to  see  a  darling  tree,  of  one's  own  placing,  every  year  stretching  wider  ita 
feathery  head  of  foliage,  and  covering  with  a  darker  shadow  the  soft  turf  beneath 
it,  still,  we  will  not  let  the  ardent  and  inexperienced  hunter  after  a  location  for 
a  country  residence,  pass  without  a  word  of  advice.  This  is,  always  to  make 
considerable  sacrifice  to  get  a  place  with  some  existing  wood,  or  a  few  ready 
grown  trees  upon  it ;  especially  near  the  site  for  the  house.  It  is  better  to 
yield  a  little  in  the  extent  of  prospect,  or  in  the  direct  proximity  to  a  certain 


i 


70 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Plantations  in  the  Modern  Style.  In  the  Modern 
Style  of  Landscape  Gardening,  it  is  our  aim,  in  plantations, 
to  produce  not  only  what  is  called  natural  beauty,  but 
even  higher  and  more  striking  beauty  of  expression,  and  ot 
individual  forms,  than  we  see  in  nature ;  to  create  variety 
and  intricacy  in  the  grounds  of  a  residence  by  various 
modes  of  arrangement ;  to  give  a  highly  elegant  or  polished 
air  to  places  by  introducing  rare  and  foreign  species  ;  and 
to  conceal  all  defects  of  surface,  disagreeable  views,  un- 
sightly buildings,  or  other  offensive  objects, 

As  uniformity,  and  grandeur  of  single  effects,  were  the 
aim  of  the  old  style  of  arrangement,  so  variety  and  har- 
mony of  the  whole  are  the  results  for  which  we  labor  in 
the  modern  landscape.  And  as  the  Avenue,  or  the  straight 
line,  is  the  leading  form  in  the  geometric  arrangement  of 
plantations,  so  let  us  enforce  it  upon  our  readers,  the  Group 
is  equally  the  key-note  of  the  Modern  style.  The  smallest 
place,  having  only  three  trees,  may  have  these  pleasingly 
connected  in  a  group ;  and  the  largest  and  finest  park — the 
Blenheim  or  Chatsworth,  of  seven  miles  square,  is  only 
composed  of  a  succession  of  groups,  becoming  masses, 
thickets,  woods.  If  a  demesne  with  the  most  beautiful 
surface  and  views  has  been  for  some  time  stiffly  and 

locality,  than  to  pitcn  your  tent  in  a  plain, — desert-like  in  its  bareness — on 
which  your  leafy  sensibilities  must  suffer  for  half  a  dozen  vears  at  least,  before 
you  can  hope  for  any  solace.  It  is  doubtful  whether  there  is  not  almost  as 
much  interest  in  studying  from  one's  window  the  curious  ramifications,  me 
variety  of  form,  and  the  entire  harmony,  to  be  found  in  a  fine  old  tree,  as 
gazing  from  a  site  where  we  have  no  interruption  to  a  panorama  of  tne  whole 
horizon  ;  and  we  have  generally  found  tha  no  planters  have  so  little  courage 
and  faith,  as  those  who  have  commenced  without  the  smallest  group  of  large 
trees,  as  a  nucleus  for  their  plantations. 


ON    WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


77 


awkwardly  planted,  it  is  exceedingly  difficult  to  give  it  a 
natural  and  agreeable  air  ;  while  many  a  tame  level,  with 
scarcely  a  glimpse  of  distance,  has  been  rendered  lovely 
by  its  charming  groups  of  trees.  How  necessary,  therefore, 
is  it,  in  the  very  outset,  that  the  novice,  before  he  begins 
to  plant,  should  know  how  to  arrange  a  tasteful  group ! 

Nothing,  at  first  thought,  would  appear  easier  than  to 
arrange  a  few  trees  in  the  form  of  a  natural  and  beautiful 
group, — and  nothing  really  is  easier  to  the  practised  hand, 
Yet  experience  has  taught  us  that  the  generality  of  persons, 
in  commencing  their  first  essays  in  ornamental  planting, 
almost  invariably  crowd  their  trees  into  a  close,  regular 
clump,  which  has  a  most  formal  and  unsightly  appearance^ 
as  different  as  possible  from  the  easy,  flowing  outline  of 
the  group. 

"  Natural  groups  are  full  of  openings  and  hollows,  of 
trees  advancing  before,  or  retiring  behind  each  other ; 
all  productive  of  intricacy,  of  variety,  of  deep  shadows 
and  brilliant  lights." 

The  chief  care,  then,  which  is  necessary  in  the  forma 
tion  of  groups,  is,  not  to  place  them  in  any  regular  or 
artificial  manner, — as  one  at  each  corner  of  a  triangle, 
square,  octagon,  or  other  many-sided  figure  ;  but  so  to 
dispose  them,  as  that  the  whole  may  exhibit  the  variety, 
connexion,  and  intricacy  seen  in  nature.  "  The  greatest 
beauty  of  a  group  of  trees,"  says  Loudon,  "as  far  as 
respects  their  stems,  is  in  the  varied  direction  these  take 
as  they  grow  into  trees  ;  but  as  that  is,  for  all  practical 
purposes,  beyond  the  influence  of  art,  all  we  can  do,  is  to 
vary  as  much  as  possible  the  ground  plan  of  groups,  or 
the  relative  positions  which  the  stems  have  to  each  other 
where  they  spring  from  the  earth.    This  is  considerable. 


78 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


even  where  a  very  few  trees  are  used,  of  which  any 
person  may  convince  himself  by  placing  a  few  dots  on 
paper.  Thus  two  trees  (fig.  15),  or  a  tree  and  shrub, 
which  is  the  smallest  group  (a),  may  be  placed  in  three 
different  positions  with  reference  to  a  spectator  in  a  fixed 
point ;  if  he  moves  round  them,  they  will  first  vary  in  form 
separately,  and  next  unite  in  one  or  two  groups,  according 
to  the  position  of  the  spectator.  In  like  manner,  three 
trees  may  be  placed  in  four  different  positions  ;  four  trees 
may  be  placed  in  eight  different  positions  (b)  ;  five  trees 
may  be  grouped  in  ten  different  ways,  as  to  ground  plan ; 
six  may  be  placed  in  twelve  different  ways  (c),  and  so  on." 
Encyclopedia  of  Gard.) 


3 


L 


[Fig.  15.   Grouping  of  Trees.] 


In  the  composition  of  larger  masses,  similar  ruies  must 


ON   WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


79 


be  observed  as  in  the  smaller  groups,  in  order  to  prevent 
them  from  growing  up  in  heavy,  clumpish  forms.  The 
outline  must  be  flowing,  here  projecting  out  into  the  grass, 
there  receding  back  into  the  plantation,  in  order  to  take 
off  all  appearance  of  stiffness  and  regularity.  Trees  of 
medium  and  smaller  size  should  be  so  interspersed  with 
those  of  larger  growth,  as  to  break  up  all  formal  sweeps  in 
the  line  produced  by  the  tops  of  their  summits,  and  oc- 
casionally, low  trees  should  be  planted  on  the  outer  edge 
of  the  mass,  to  connect  it  with  the  humble  verdure  of  the 
surrounding  sward. 

In  many  parts  of  the  union,  where  new  residences  are 
being  formed,  or  where  old  ones  are  to  be  improved,  the 
grounds  will  often  be  found,  partially,  or  to  a  considerable 
extent,  clothed  with  belts  or  masses  of  wTood,  either  pre- 
viously planted,  or  preserved  from  the  woodman's  axe. 
How  easily  we  may  turn  these  to  advantage  in  the  natural 
style  of  Landscape  Gardening  ;  and  by  judicious  trimming 
when  too  thick,  or  additions  when  too  much  scattered, 
elicit  often  the  happiest  effects,  in  a  magical  manner  ! 

Where  there  are  large  masses  of  wood  to  regulate  and 
arrange,  much  skill,  taste,  and  judgment,  are  requisite,  to 
enable  the  proprietors  to  preserve  only  what  is  really 
beautiful  and  picturesque,  and  to  remove  all  that  is  super- 
fluous. Most  of  our  native  woods,  too,  have  grown  so 
closely,  and  the  trees  are  consequently  so  much  drawn  up, 
that  should  the  improver  thin  out  any  portion,  at  once,  to 
single  trees,  he  will  be  greatly  disappointed  if  he  expects 
them  to  stand  long ;  for  the  first  severe  autumnal  gale 
will  almost  certainly  prostrate  them.  The  only  method, 
therefore,  is  to  allow  them  to  remain  in  groups  of  con- 
siderable size  at  first,  and  to  thin  them  out  as  is  finally 
desired,  when  they  have  made  stronger  roots  and  become 
more  inured  to  the  influence  of  the  sun  and  air. 


80 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


But  to  return  to  grouping ;  what  we  have  already  en- 
deavored  to  render  familiar  to  the  reader,  may  be  called 
grouping  in  its  simple  meaning — -for  general  effect,  and 
with  an  eye  only  to  the  natural  beauty  of  pleasing  forms 
Let  us  now  explain,  as  concisely  as  we  may,  the  mode  of 
grouping  in  the  two  schools  of  Landscape  Gardening  here- 
tofore defined,  that  is  to  say,  grouping  and  planting  for 
Beautiful  effect,  and  for  Picturesque  effect ;  as  we  wish  it 
understood  that  these  two  different  expressions,  in  artificial 
landscape,  are  always  to  a  certain  extent  under  our  control. 

Planting  and  Grouping  to  produce  the  Beautiful. 
The  elementary  features  of  this  expression  our  readers 
will  remember  to  be  fulness  and  softness  of  outline,  and 
perfectly  luxuriant  development.  To  insure  these  in  plan- 
tations, we  must  commence  by  choosing  mainly  trees  of 
graceful  habit  and  flowing  outlines ;  and  of  this  class  of 
trees,  hereafter  more  fully  illustrated,  the  American  elm 
and  the  maple  may  be  taken  as  the  type.  Next,  in  dis- 
posing them,  they  must  usually  be  planted  rather  distant 
in  the  groups,  and  often  singly.  We  do  not  mean  by  this, 
that  close  groups  may  not  occasionally  be  formed,  but  there 
should  be  a  predominance  of  trees  grouped  at  such  a  dis- 
tance from  each  other,  as  to  allow  a  full  development  of 
the  branches  on  every  side.  Or,  when  a  close  group  is 
planted,  the  trees  composing  it  should  be  usually  of  the 
same  or  a  similar  kind,  in  order  that  they  may  grow  up 
togethei  and  form  one  finely  rounded  head.  Rich  creepers 
and  blossoming  vines,  that  grow  in  fine  luxuriant  wreaths 
and  masses,  are  fit  accompaniments  to  occasional  groups 
in  this  manner.  Fig.  16  represents  a  plan  of  trees  grouped 
along  a  road  or  walk,  so  as  to  develope  the  Beautiful. 

It  is  proper  that  we  should  here  remark,  that  a  distinct 
species  of  after  treatment  is  required  for  the  two  modes. 
Trees,  or  groups,  where  the  Beautiful  is  aimed  at,  should  be 


ON    WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


81 


[Fig.  16.   Grouping  to  produce  the  Beautiful.] 


pruned  with  great  care,  and  indeed  scarcely  at  all,  except 
to  remedy  disease,  or  to  correct  a  bad  form.  Above  all, 
the  full  luxuriance  and  development  of  the  tree  should  be 
encouraged  by  good  soil,  and  repeated  manurings  when 
necessary  ;  and  that  most  expressively  elegant  fall  and 
droop  of  the  branches,  which  so  completely  denotes  the 
Beautiful  in  trees,  should  never  be  warred  against  by  any 
trimming  of  the  lower  branches,  which  must  also  be  care- 
fully preserved  against  cattle,  whose  browsing  line  would 
soon  efface  this  most  beautiful  disposition  in  some  of  our 
fine  lawn  trees.  Clean,  smooth  stems,  fresh  and  tender 
bark,  and  a  softly  rounded  pyramidal  or  drooping  head, 
are  the  characteristics  of  a  Beautiful  tree.  We  need  not 
add  that  gently  sloping  ground,  or  surfaces  rolling  in  easy 
undulations,  should  accompany  such  plantations. 

Planting  and  Grouping  to  produce  the  Picturesque. 
All  trees  are  admissible  in  a  picturesque  place,  but  a  pre- 
dominance must  be  used  by  the  planter  of  what  are  truly 

calied  picturesque  trees,  of  which  the  larch  and  fir  tribe 

6 


82 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


and  some  species  of  oak,  may  be  taken  as  examples.  In 
Picturesque  plantations  everything  depends  on  intricacy 


[Fig.  17   Grouping  to  produce  the  Picturesque.] 


and  irregularity,  and  grouping,  therefore,  must  often  be 
done  in  the  most  irregular  manner — rarely,  if  ever,  with 
single  specimens,  as  every  object  should  seem  to  connect 
itself  with  something  else ;  but  most  frequently  there  should 
be  irregular  groups,  occasionally  running  into  thickets,  and 
always  more  or  less  touching  each  other  ;  trusting  to  after 
time  for  any  thinning,  should  it  be  necessary.  Fig.  17 
may,  as  compared  with  Fig.  16,  give  an  idea  of  picturesque 
grouping. 

There  should  be  more  of  the  wildness  of  the  finest  and 
most  forcible  portions  of  natural  woods  or  forests,  in  the 
disposition  of  the  trees ;  sometimes  planting  them  closely, 
even  two  or  three  in  the  same  hole,  at  others  more  loose 
and  scattered.  These  will  grow  up  into  wilder  and  more 
striking  forms,  the  barks  will  be  deeply  furrowed  and  rough, 
the  limbs  twisted  and  irregular,  and  the  forms  and  outlines 
distinctly  varied.  They  should  often  be  intermixed  with 
smaller  undergrowth  of  a  similar  character,  as  the  hazel, 
hawthorn,  etc.,  and  formed  into  such  picturesque  and  strik 


ON   WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


83 


ing  groups,  as  painters  love  to  study  and  introduce  into 
their  pictures.  Sturdy  and  bright  vines,  or  such  as  are 
themselves  picturesque  in  their  festoons  and  hangings, 
should  be  allowed  to  clamber  over  occasional  trees  in  a 
negligent  manner  ;  and  the  surface  and  grass,  in  parts  of 
the  scene  not  immediately  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
mansion,  may  be  kept  short  by  the  cropping  of  animals,  or 
allowed  to  grow  in  a  more  careless  and  loose  state,  like  that 
of  tangled  dells  and  natural  woods. 

There  will  be  the  same  open  glades  in  picturesque  as  in 
beautiful  plantations ;  but  these  openings,  in  the  former, 
will  be  bounded  by  groups  and  thickets  of  every  form,  and 
of  different  degrees  of  intricacy,  while  in  the  latter  the 
eye  will  repose  on  softly  rounded  masses  of  foliage,  or  sin- 
gle open  groups  of  trees,  with  finely  balanced  and  graceful 
heads  and  branches. 

In  order  to  know  how  a  plantation  in  the  Picturesque 
mode  should  be  treated,  after  it  is  established,  we  should 
reflect  a  moment  on  what  constitutes  picturesqueness  in 
any  tree.  This  will  be  found  to  consist  either  in  a  certain 
natural  roughness  of  bark,  or  wildness  of  form  and  outline, 
or  in  some  accidental  curve  of  a  branch  of  striking  manner 
of  growth,  or  perhaps  of  both  these  conjoined.  A  broken 
or  crooked  limb,  a  leaning  trunk,  or  several  stems  springing 
from  the  same  base,  are  frequently  peculiarities  that  at  once 
stamp  a  tree  as  picturesque.  Hence,  it  is  easy  to  see  that 
the  excessive  care  of  the  cultivator  of  trees  in  the  graceful 
school  to  obtain  the  smoothest  trunks,  and  the  most  sweep- 
ing, perfect,  and  luxuriant  heads  of  foliage,  is  quite  the 
opposite  of  what  is  the  picturesque  arboriculturist's  ambi- 
tion. He  desires  to  encourage  a  certain  wildness  of  growth, 
and  allows  his  trees  to  spring  up  occasionally  in  thickets 


84 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


to  assist  this  effect ;  he  delights  in  occasional  irregularity 
of  stem  and  outline,  and  he  therefore  suffers  his  trees  here 
and  there  to  crowd  each  other;  he  admires  a  twisted  limb 
or  a  moss  covered  branch,  and  in  pruning  he  therefore  is 
careful  to  leave  precisely  what  it  would  be  the  aim  of  the 
other  to  remove  ;  and  his  pruning,  where  it  is  at  all  neces- 
sary, is  directed  rather  towards  increasing  the  naturally 
striking  and  peculiar  habit  of  the  picturesque  tree,  than 
assisting  it  in  developing  a  form  of  unusual  refinement  and 
symmetry.  From  these  remarks  we  think  the  amateur 
will  easily  divine,  that  planting,  grouping,  and  culture  to 
produce  the  Beautiful,  require  a  much  less  artistic  eye 
(though  much  more  care  and  attention)  than  performing 
the  same  operations  to  elicit  the  Picturesque.  The  charm 
of  a  refined  and  polished  landscape  garden,  as  we  usually 
see  it  in  the  Beautiful  grounds  with  all  the  richness  and 
beauty  developed  by  high  culture,  arises  from  our  admira- 
tion of  the  highest  perfection,  the  greatest  beauty  of  form, 
to  which  every  object  can  be  brought  ;  and,  in  trees,  a 
judicious  selection,  with  high  cultivation,  will  always  pro- 
duce this  effect. 

But  in  the  Picturesque  landscape  garden  there  is  visible 
a  piquancy  of  effect,  certain  bold  and  striking  growths 
and  combinations,  which  we  feel  at  once,  if  we  know  them 
to  be  the  result  of  art,  to  be  the  production  of  a  peculiar 
species  of  attention — not  merely  good,  or  even  refined 
ornamental  gardening.  In  short,  no  one  can  be  a  pictu- 
resque improver  (if  he  has  to  begin  with  young  plantations) 
who  is  not  himself  something  of  an  artist — who  has  not 
studied  nature  with  an  artistical  eye — and  who  is  not 
capable  of  imitating,  eliciting,  or  heightening,  in  his  plan- 
tations or  other  portions  of  his  residence,  the  picturesqu* 


ON   WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


85 


in  its  many  variations.  And  we  may  add  here,  that  effi- 
cient and  charming  as  is  the  assistance  which  all  orna- 
mental planters  will  derive  from  the  study  of  the  best 
landscape  engravings  and  pictures  of  distinguished  artists, 
they  are  indispensably  necessary  to  the  picturesque  im 
prover.  In  these  he  will  often  find  embodied  the  choicest 
and  most  captivating  studies  from  picturesque  nature ;  and 
will  see  at  a  glance  the  effect  of  certain  combinations  of 
trees,  which  he  might  otherwise  puzzle  himself  a  dozen 
years  to  know  how  to  produce 

After  all,  as  the  picturesque  improver  here  will  most 
generally  be  found  to  be  one  who  chooses  a  comparatively 
wild  and  wooded  place,  we  may  safely  say  that,  if  he  has 
the  true  feeling  for  his  work,  he  will  always  find  it  vastly 
easier  than  those  who  strive  after  the  Beautiful ;  as  the 
majority  of  the  latter  may  be  said  to  begin  nearly  anew — - 
choosing  places  not  for  wildness  and  intricacy  of  wood,  but 
for  openness  and  the  smiling,  sunny,  undulating  plain, 
where  they  must  of  course  to  a  good  extent  plant  anew. 

After  becoming  well  acquainted  with  grouping,  we 
should  bring  ourselves  to  regard  those  principles  which 
govern  our  improvements  as  a  whole.  We  therefore  must 
call  the  attention  of  the  improver  to  the  two  following 
principles,  which  are  to  be  constantly  in  view :  the  pro- 
duction of  a  whole,  and  the  proper  connexion  of  the  parts. 

Any  person  who  will  take  the  trouble  to  reflect  for  a  mo- 
ment on  the  great  diversity  of  surface,  change  of  position, 
aspects,  views,  etc.,  in  different  country  residences,  will  at 
once  perceive  how  difficult,  or,  indeed,  how  impossible  it 
is,  to  lay  down  any  fixed  or  exact  rules  for  arranging  plan- 
tations in  the  modern  style.  What  would  be  precisely 
adapted  to  a  hilly  rolling  park,  would  often  be  found  entire- 


80 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


ly  unfit  for  adoption  in  a  smooth,  level  surface,  and  the 
contrary.  Indeed,  the  chief  beauty  of  the  modern  style  is 
the  variety  produced  by  following  a  few  leading  principles 
and  applying  them  to  different  and  varied  localities  ;  un 
like  the  geometric  style,  which  proceeded  to  level,  and 
arrange,  and  erect  its  avenues  and  squares,  alike  in  every 
situation,  with  all  the  precision  and  certainty  of  mathe- 
matical demonstration. 

In  all  grounds  to  be  laid  out,  however,  which  are  of  a 
lawn  or  park-like  extent,  and  call  for  the  exercise  of  judg- 
ment and  taste,  the  mansion  or  dwelling-house,  being  itself 
the  chief  or  leading  object  in  the  scene,  should  form,  as  it 
were,  the  central  point,  to  which  it  should  be  the  object  of 
the  planter  to  give  importance.  In  order  to  do  this  effec- 
tually, the  large  masses  or  groups  of  wood  should  cluster 
round,  or  form  the  back-ground  to  the  main  edifice  ;  and 
where  the  offices  or  out-buildings  approach  the  same 
neighborhood,  they  also  should  be  embraced.  We  do  not 
mean  by  this  to  convey  the  idea,  that  a  thick  wood  should 
be  planted  around  and  in  the  close  neighborhood  of  the 
mansion  or  villa,  so  as  to  impede  the  free  circulation  of 
air  ;  but  its  appearance  and  advantages  may  be  easily 
produced  by  a  comparatively  loose  plantation  of  groups 
well  connected  by  intermediate  trees,  so  as  to  give  all  the 
effect  of  a  large  mass.  The  front,  and  at  least  that  side 
nearest  the  approach  road,  will  be  left  open,  or  nearly  so  ; 
while  the  plantations  on  the  back-ground  will  give  dignity 
and  importance  to  the  house,  and  at  the  same  time  effectu- 
ally screen  the  approach  to  the  farm  buildings,  and  other 
objects  which  require  to  be  kept  out  of  view ;  and  here 
both  for  the  purposes  of  shelter  and  richness  of  effect,  a 
good  proportion  of  evergreens  should  be  introduced. 


ON    WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


87 


From  this  principal  mass,  the  plantations  must  break 
off  in  groups  of  greater  or  less  size,  corresponding  to  the 
extent  covered  by  it ;  if  large,  they  will  diverge  into 
masses  of  considerable  magnitude,  if  of  moderate  size,  in 
groups  made  up  of  a  number  of  trees.  In  the  lawn  front 
of  the  house,  appropriate  places  will  be  found  for  a  number 
of  the  most  elegant  single  trees,  or  small  groups  of  trees, 
remarkable  for  the  beauty  of  their -forms,  foliage,  or  blos- 
soms. Care  must  be  taken,  however,  in  disposing  these, 
as  well  as  many  of  the  groups,  that  they  are  not  placed  so 
as,  at  some  future  time,  to  interrupt  or  disturb  the  finest 
points  of  prospect. 

In  more  distant  parts  of  the  plantations  will  also  appear 
masses  of  considerable  extent,  perhaps  upon  the  boundary 
line,  perhaps  in  particular  situations  on  the  sides,  or  in  the 
interior  of  the  whole ;  and  the  various  groups  which  are 
distributed  between  should  be  so  managed  as,  though  in 
most  cases  distinct,  yet  to  appear  to  be  the  connecting 
links  which  unite  these  distant  shadows  in  the  composition, 
with  the  larger  masses  near  the  house.  Sometimes  seve- 
ral small  groups  will  be  almost  joined  together  ;  at  others 
the  effect  may  be  kept  up  by  a  small  group,  aided  by  a  few 
neighboring  single  trees.  This,  for  a  park-like  place. 
Where  the  place  is  small,  a  pleasure-ground  character  is 
all  that  can  be  obtained.  But  by  employing  chiefly 
shrubs,  and  only  a  few  trees,  very  similar  and  highly 
beautiful  effects  may  be  attained. 

The  grand  object  in  all  this  should  be  to  open  to  the 
eye,  from  the  windows  or  front  of  the  house,  a  wide 
surface,  partially  broken  up  and  divided  by  groups  and 
masses  of  trees  into  a  number  of  pleasing  lawns  or 
openings,  differing  in  size  and  appearance,  and  producing 


88 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


a  charming  variety  in  the  scene,  either  when  seen  from  a 
given  point  or  when  examined  in  detail.  It  must  not  be 
forgotten  that,  as  a  general  rule,  the  grass  or  surface  of 
the  lawn  answers  as  the  principal  light,  and  the  woods  or 
plantations  as  the  shadows,  in  the  same  manner  in  nature 
as  in  painting ;  and  that  these  should  be  so  managed  as  to 
lead  the  eye  to  the  mansion  as  the  most  important  object 
when  seen  from  without,  or  correspond  to  it  in  grandeur 
and  magnitude,  when  looked  upon  from  within  the  house. 
If  the  surface  is  too  much  crowded  with  groups  of  foliage, 
breadth  of  light  will  be  found  wanting;  if  left  too  bare, 
there  will  be  felt,  on  the  other  hand,  an  absence  of  the 
noble  effect  of  deep  and  broad  shadows. 

One  of  the  loveliest  charms  of  a  fine  park  is,  undoubted- 
ly, variation  or  undulation  of  surface.  Everything, 
accordingly,  which  tends  to  preserve  and  strengthen  this 
pleasing  character,  should  be  kept  constantly  in  view. 
Where,  therefore,  there  are  no  obvious  objections  to  such 
a  course,  the  eminences,  gentle  swells,  or  hills,  should  be 
planted,  in  preference  to  the  hollows  or  depressions.  By 
planting  the  elevated  portions  of  the  grounds,  theii 
apparent  height  is  increased  ;  but  by  planting  the  hollows, 
all  distinction  is  lessened  and  broken  up.  Indeed,  where 
there  is  but  a  trifling  and  scarcely  perceptible  undulation 
the  importance  of  the  swells  of  surface  already  existing  is 
surprisingly  increased,  when  this  course  of  planting  is 
adopted  ;  and  the  whole,  to  the  eye,  appears  finely 
varied. 

Where  the  grounds  of  the  residence  to  be  planted  are 
level,  or  nearly  so,  and  it  is  desirable  to  confine  the  ^sw 
on  any  or  all  sides,  to  the  lawn  or  park  itself,  th*  boundarv 
groups  and  masses  must  be  so  connected  together  as.  froro 


ON   WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


89 


the  most  striking  part  or  parts  of  the  prospect  (near  the 
house  for  example)  to  answer  this  end.  This  should  be 
done,  not  by  planting  a  continuous,  uniformly  thick  belt  of 
trees  round  the  outside  of  the  whole  ;  but  by  so  arranging 
the  various  outer  groups  and  thickets,  that  when  seen  from 
the  given  points  they  shall  appear  connected  in  one  whole. 
In  this  way,  there  will  be  an  agreeable  variation  in  the 
margin,  made  by  the  various  bays,  recesses,  and  detached 
projections,  which  could  not  be  so  well  effected  if  the 
whole  were  one  uniformly  unbroken  strip  of  wood. 

But  where  the  house  is  so  elevated  as  to  command  a 
more  extensive  view  than  is  comprised  in  the  demesne 
itself,  another  course  should  be  adopted.  The  grounds 
planted  must  be  made  to  connect  themselves  with  the 
surrounding  scenery,  so  as  not  to  produce  any  violent 
contrast  to  the  eye,  when  compared  with  the  adjoining 
country.  If  then,  as  is  most  frequently  the  case,  the  lawn 
or  pleasure-ground  join,  on  either  side  or  sides,  cultivated 
farm  lands,  the  proper  connexion  may  be  kept  up  by 
advancing  a  few  groups  or  even  scattered  trees  into  the 
neighboring  fields.  In  the  middle  states  there  are  but  few 
cultivated  fields,  even  in  ordinary  farms,  where  there  is 
not  to  be  seen,  here  and  there,  a  handsome  cluster  of 
saplings  or  a  few  full  grown  trees  ;  or  if  not  these,  at 
least  some  tall  growing  bushes  along  the  fences,  all  of 
which,  by  a  little  exercise  of  this  leading  principle  of 
connexion,  can,  by  the  planter  of  taste,  be  made  to  appear 
with  few  or  trifling  additions,  to  divaricate  from,  and 
ramble  out  of  the  park  itself.  Where  the  park  joins 
natural  woods,  connexion  is  still  easier,  and  where  it 
bounds  upon  one  of  our  noble  rivers,  lakes,  or  other  large 
sneets  of  water,  of  course  connexion  is  not  expected  ;  foi 


90 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


sudden  contrast  and  transition  is  there  both  natural  and 
beautiful. 

In  all  cases  good  taste  will  suggest  that  the  more  polished 
parts  of  the  lawns  and  grounds  should,  whatever  character 
is  attempted,  be  those  nearest  the  house.  There  the  most 
rare  and  beautiful  sorts  of  trees  are  displayed,  and  the 
entire  plantations  agree  in  elegance  with  the  style  of  art 
evinced  in  the  mansion  itself.  When  there  is  much  extent, 
however,  as  the  eye  wanders  from  the  neighborhood  of  the 
residence,  the  whole  evinces  less  polish  ;  and  gradually, 
towards  the  furthest  extremities,  grows  ruder,  until  it  assi- 
milates itself  to  the  wildness  of  general  nature  around. 
This,  of  course,  applies  to  grounds  of  large  extent,  and  must 
not  be  so  much  enforced  where  the  lawn  embraced  is  but 
moderate,  and  therefore  comes  more  directly  under  the 
eye. 

It  will  be  remembered  that,  in  the  foregoing  section,  we 
stated  it  as  one  of  the  leading  principles  of  the  art  of  Land- 
scape Gardening,  that  in  every  instance  where  the  grounds 
of  a  country  residence  have  a  marked  natural  character, 
whether  of  beautiful  or  picturesque  expression,  the  efforts 
of  the  improver  will  be  most  successful  if  he  contributes 
by  his  art  to  aid  and  strengthen  that  expression.  This 
should  ever  be  borne  in  mind  when  we  are  commencing 
any  improvements  in  planting  that  will  affect  the  general 
expression  of  the  scene,  as  there  are  but  few  country  resi- 
dences in  the  United  States  of  any  importance  which  have 
not  naturally  some  distinct  landscape  character ;  and  the 
labors  of  the  improver  will  be  productive  of  much  greater 
satisfaction  and  more  lasting  pleasure,  when  they  aim  at 
effects  in  keeping  with  the  whole  scene,  than  if  no  -egard 
be  paid  to  this  important  point.    This  will  be  felt  almost 


ON   WOOD   AND   PLANTATION?.  91 

intuitively  by  persons  who,  perhaps,  would  themselves  be 
incapable  of  describing  the  cause  of  their  gratification,  but 
would  perceive  the  contrary  at  once ;  as  many  are  unable 
to  analyse  the  pleasure  derived  from  harmony  in  music, 
while  they  at  once  perceive  the  introduction  of  discordant 
notes. 

We  do  not  intend  that  this  principle  should  apply  so 
closely,  that  extensive  grounds  naturally  picturesque  shall 
have  nothing  of  the  softening  touches  of  more  perfect 
beauty  ;  or  that  a  demesne  characterized  by  the  latter  ex- 
pression should  not  be  occasionally  enlivened  with  a  few 
"  smart  touches"  of  the  former.  This  is  often  necessary, 
indeed,  to  prevent  tame  scenery  from  degenerating  into 
insipidity,  or  picturesque  into  wildness,  too  great  to  be 
appropriate  in  a  country  residence.  Picturesque  trees 
give  new  spirit  to  groups  of  highly  beautiful  ones,  and  the 
latter  sometimes  heighten  by  contrast  the  value  of  the 
former.  All  of  which,  however,  does  not  prevent  the 
predominance  of  the  leading  features  of  either  style,  suffi- 
ciently strong  to  mark  it  as  such  ;  while,  occasionally, 
something  of  zest  or  elegance  may  be  borrowed  from  the 
opposite  character,  to  suit  the  wishes  or  gratify  the  taste 
of  the  proprietor. 

Ground  plans  of  ornamental  plantations.  To 
illustrate  partially  our  ideas  on  the  arrangement  of  plan- 
tations we  place  before  the  reader  two  or  three  examples, 
premising  that  the  small  scale  to  which  they  are  reduced 
prevents  our  giving  to  them  any  character  beyond  that  of 
the  general  one  of  the  design.  The  first  (Fig.  20)  repre- 
sents a  portion,  say  one  third  or  one  half  of  a  piece  of 
property  selected  for  a  country  seal,  and  which  has  hitherto 
been  kept  in  tillage  as  ordinary  farm  land.    The  public 


92 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING 


[Fig.  18.   Plan  of  a  common  Farm,  before  any  improvements.] 


road,  a,  is  the  boundary  on  one  side  :  dd  are  prettily  wooded 
dells  or  hollows,  which,  together  with  a  few  groups  near 
the  proposed  site  of  the  house,  c,  and  a  few  scattered  single 
trees,  make  up  the  aggregate  of  the  original  woody  embel- 
lishments of  the  locality. 

In  the  next  figure  (Fig.  19)  a  ground  plan  of  the  place  is 
given,  as  it  would  appear  after  having  been  judiciously 
laid  out  and  planted,  with  several  years'  growth.  At  a,  the 
approach  road  leaves  the  public  highway  and  leads  to  the 
house  at  c :  from  whence  paths  of  smaller  size,  b,  make 
the  circuit  of  the  ornamental  portion  of  the  residence, 
taking  advantage  of  the  wooded  dells,  d,  originally  existing, 
which  offer  some  scope  for  varied  walks  concealed  from 
each  other  by  the  intervening  masses  of  thicket.    Jt  wil 


ON   WOOD   AND   PLANTATIONS.  93 


[Fig.  19.   Plan  of  the  foregoing  grounds  as  a  Country  Seat,  after  ten  years'  improvement  ] 


be  seen  here,  that  one  of  the  largest  masses  of  wood  forms 
a  background  to  the  house,  concealing  also  the  out-build- 
ings ;  while,  from  the  windows  of  the  mansion  itself,  the 
trees  are  so  arranged  as  to  group  in  the  most  pleasing  and 
effective  manner  ;  at  the  same  time  broad  masses  of  turf 
meet  the  eye,  and  fine  distant  views  are  had  through  the 
vistas  in  the  lines,  e  e.  In  this  manner  the  lawn  appears 
divided  into  four  distinct  lawns  or  areas  bounded  by  groups 
of  trees,  instead  of  being  dotted  over  with  an  unmeaning 
confusion  of  irregular  masses  of  foliage.  The  form  of  these 
areas  varies  also  with  every  change  of  position  in  the  spec- 
tator, as  seen  from  different  portions  of  the  grounds,  or  differ- 
ent points  in  the  walks  ;  and  they  can  be  still  further  varied 
at  pleasure  by  adding  more  single  trees  or  small  groups, 
which  should  always,  to  produce  variety  of  outline,  be 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


placed  opposite  the  salient  parts  of  the  wood,  and  not  in  the 
recesses,  which  latter  they  would  appear  to  diminish  or 
clog  up.  The  stables  are  shown  at  f ;  the  barn  at  g,  and 
the  kitchen  garden  adjacent  at  h ;  the  orchard  at  i  ;  and  a 
small  portion  of  the  farm  lands  at  k ;  a  back  entrance  to 
the  out-buildings  is  shown  in  the  rear  of  the  orchard.  The 
plan  has  been  given  for  a  place  of  seventy  acres,  thirty  of 
which  include  the  pleasure  grounds,  and  forty  the  adjoin- 
ing farm  lands. 

Figure   20   is   the   plan   of  an  American  mansion 


[Fif.  20.   Plan  of  a  Mansion  Residence,  laid  out  in  the  natural  fctyieO 


ON   WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


95 


residence  of  considerable  extent,  only  part  of  the  farm 
lands,  /,  being  here  delineated.  In  this  residence,  as  there 
is  no  extensive  view  worth  preserving  beyond  the  bounds 
of  the  estate,  the  pleasure  grounds  are  surrounded  by  an 
irregular  and  picturesque  belt  of  wood.  A  fine  natural 
stream  or  rivulet,  which  ran  through  the  estate,  has  been 
formed  into  a  handsome  pond,  or  small  lake,/,  which  adds 
much  to  the  interest  of  the  grounds.  The  approach  road 
breaks  off  from  the  highway  at  the  entrance  lodge,  a, 
and  proceeds  in  easy  curves  to  the  mansion,  b ;  and  the 
groups  of  trees  on  the  side  of  this  approach  nearest  the 
house,  are  so  arranged  that  the  visitor  scarcely  obtains 
more  than  a  glimpse  of  the  latter,  until  he  arrives  at  the 
most  favorable  position  for  a  first  impression.  From  the 
windows  of  the  mansion,  at  either  end,  the  eye  ranges 
over  groups  of  flowers  and  shrubs  ;  while,  on  the  entrance 
front,  the  trees  are  arranged  so  as  to  heighten  the  natural 
expression  originally  existing  there.  On  the  other  front, 
the  broad  mass  of  light  reflected  from  the  green  turf  at  h, 
is  balanced  by  the  dark  shadows  of  the  picturesque 
plantations  which  surround  the  lake,  and  skirt  the  whole 
boundary.  At  i,  a  light,  inconspicuous  wire  fence 
separates  that  portion  of  the  ground,  g,  ornamented  with 
flowering  shrubs  and  kept  mown  by  the  scythe,  from  the 
remainder,  of  a  park-like  character,  which  is  kept  short  by 
the  cropping  of  animals.  At  c,  are  shown  the  stables, 
carriage  house,  etc.,  which,  though  near  the  approach 
road,  are  concealed  by  foliage,  though  easily  accessible  by 
a  short  curved  road,  returning  from  the  house,  so  as  not 
to  present  any  road  leading  in  the  same  direction,  to 
detract  from  the  dignity  of  the  approach  in  going  to  it. 
A  prospect  tower,  or  rustic  pavilion,  on  a  little  eminence 


96 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


V 


overlooking  the  whole  estate,  is  shown  at  j.  The  small 
arabesque  beds  near  the  house  are  filled  with  masses  of 
choice  flowering  shrubs  and  plants ;  the  kitchen  garden  is 
shown  at  d,  and  the  orchard  at  e. 

Suburban  villa  residences  are,  every  day,  becoming 
more  numerous  ;  and  in  laying  out  the  grounds  around 
them,  and  disposing  the  sylvan  features,  there  is  often 
more  ingenuity,  and  as  much  taste  required,  as  in  treating 
a  country  residence  of  several  hundred  acres.  In  the 
small  area  of  from  one  half  an  acre  to  ten  or  twelve  acres, 
surrounding  often  a  villa  of  the  first  class,  it  is  desirable 
to  assemble  many  of  the  same  features,  and  as  much  as 
possible  of  the  enjoyment,  which  are  to  be  found  in  a  large 
and  elegant  estate.  To  do  this,  the  space  allotted  to 
various  purposes,  as  the  kitchen  garden,  lav/n,  etc.,  must 
be  judiciously  portioned  out,  and  so  characterized  and 
divided  by  plantations,  that  the  whole  shall  appear  to  be 
much  larger  than  it  really  is,  from  the  fact  that  the 
spectator  is  never  allowed  to  see  the  whole  at  a  single 
glance ;  but  while  each  portion  is  complete  in  itself,  the 
plan  shall  present  nothing  incongruous  or  ill  assorted. 

An  excellent  illustration  of  this  species  of  residence,  is 
afforded  the  reader  in  the  accompanying  plan  (Fig.  21)  of 
the  grounds  of  Riverside  Villa.  This  pretty  villa  at 
Burlington,  New  Jersey  (to  which  we  shah  again  refer), 
was  lately  built,  and  the  grounds,  about  six  or  eight  acres 
in  extent,  laid  out,  from  the  designs  of  John  Notman,  Esq., 
architect,  of  Philadelphia  ;  and  while  the  latter  promise  a 
large  amount  of  beauty  and  enjoyment,  scarcely  anything 
which  can  be  supposed  necessary  for  the  convenience  or 
wants  of  the  family,  is  lost  sight  of. 

The  house,  a,  stands  Quite  near  the  bank  of  the  river, 


ON   WOOD    \ND   PLANT  ATIONS. 


07 


while  one  front  commands  fine  water  views,  and  the  other 
looks  into  the  lawn  or  pleasure  grounds,  b.  On  one  side 
of  the  area  is  the  kitchen  garden,  c,  separated  and 
concealed  from  the  lawn  by  thick  groups  of  evergreen 
and  deciduous  trees.  At  e,  is  a  picturesque  orchard,  in 
which  the  fruit  trees  are  planted  in  groups  instead  of 
straight  lines,  for  the  sake  of  effect.    Directly  under  the 

windows  of  the  drawing-room  is  the  flower  garden,/;  and 

1 


03 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


at  g,  is  a  seat.  The  walk  around  the  lawn  is  also  a 
carriage  road,  affording  entrance  and  egress  from  the  rear 
of  the  grounds,  for  garden  purposes,  as  well  as  from  the 
front  of  the  house.  At  h,  is  situated  the  ice-house ;  d, 
hot-beds  ;  j,  bleaching  green  ;  i,  gardener's  house,  etc.  In 
the  rear  of  the  latter  are  the  stables,  which  are  not  shown 
on  the  plan. 

The  embellished  farm  (ferme  ornee)  is  a  pretty  mode 
of  combining  something  of  the  beauty  of  the  landscape 
garden  with  the  utility  of  the  farm,  and  we  hope  to  see 
small  country  seats  of  this  kind  become  more  general.  As 
regards  profit  in  farming,  of  course,  all  modes  of  arranging 
or  distributing  land  are  inferior  to  simple  square  fields ; 
on  account  of  the  greater  facility  of  working  the  land  in 
rectangular  plots.  But  we  suppose  the  owner  of  the  small 
ornamental  farm  to  be  one  with  whom  profit  is  not  the 
first  and  only  consideration,  but  who  desires  to  unite 
with  it  something  to  gratify  his  taste,  and  to  give  a  higher 
charm  to  his  rural  occupations.  In  Fig.  22,  is  shown  part 
of  an  embellished  farm,  treated  in  the  picturesque  style 
throughout.  The  various  trees,  under  grass  or  tillage,  are 
divided  and  bounded  by  winding  roads,  a,  bordered  by 
hedges  of  buckthorn,  cedar,  and  hawthorn,  instead  of 
wooden  fences ;  the  roads  being  wide  enough  to  afford 
a  pleasant  drive  or  walk,  so  as  to  allow  the  owner  or 
visitor  to  enjoy  at  the  same  time  an  agreeable  circuit,  and 
a  glance  at  all  the  various  crops  and  modes  of  culture. 
In  the  plan  before  us,  the  approach  from  the  public  road 
is  at  b ;  the  dwelling  at  c ;  the  barns  and  farm-buildings 
at  d ;  the  kitchen  garden  at  e ;  and  the  orchard  at  f. 
About  the  house  are  distributed  some  groups  of  trees,  and 
here  the  fields,  g,  are  kept  in  grass,  and  are  either  mown 


ON   WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


99 


[Fig.  22.   View  of  a  Picturesque  farm  (fcrme  ornee).] 


or  pastured.  The  fields  in  crops  are  designated  h,  on  the 
plan ;  and  a  few  picturesque  groups  of  trees  are  planted, 
or  allowed  to  remain,  in  these,  to  keep  up  the  general 
character  of  the  place.  A  low  dell,  or  rocky  thicket,  is 
situated  at  i,.  Exceedingly  interesting  and  agreeable 
effects  may  be  produced,  at  little  cost,  in  a  picturesque 
farm  of  this  kind.  The  hedges  may  be  of  a  great  variety 
of  suitable  shrubs,  and,  in  addition  to  those  that  we  have 
named,  we  would  introduce  others  of  the  sweet  brier,  the 
Michigan  or  prairie  rose  (admirably  adapted  for  the 
purpose),  the  flowering  crab,  and  the  like — beautiful  and 
fragrant  in  their  growth  and  blossoms.  These  hedges  we 
would  cause  to  grow  thick,  rather  by  interlacing  the 
branches,  than  by  constant  shearing  or  trimming,  which 
would  give  them  a  less  formal,  and  a  more  free  and 
natural  air.    The  winding  lanes  traversing  the  farm  need 


100 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


only  be  gravelled  near  the  house,  in  other  portions  being 
left  in  grass,  which  will  need  little  care,  as  it  will  generally 
be  kept  short  enough  by  the  passing  of  men  and  vehicles 
over  it. 

A  picturesque  or  ornamental  farm  like  this  would  be  an 
agreeable  residence  for  a  gentleman  retiring  into  the  coun- 
try on  a  small  farm,  desirous  of  experimenting  for  himself 
with  all  the  new  modes  of  culture.  The  small  and  irregu- 
lar fields  would,  to  him,  be  rather  an  advantage,  and  there 
would  be  an  air  of  novelty  and  interest  about  the  whole 
residence.  Such  an  arrangement  as  this  would  also  be 
suitable  for  a  fruit  farm  near  one  of  our  large  towns,  the 
fields  being  occupied  by  orchards,  vines,  grass,  and  grain. 
The  house  and  all  the  buildings  should  be  of  a  simple, 
though  picturesque  and  accordant  character. 

The  cottage  ornee  may  have  more  or  less  ground  attached 
to  it.  It  is  the  ambition  of  some  to  have  a  great  house  and 
little  land,  and  of  others  (among  whom  we  remember  the 
poet  Cowley)  to  have  a  little  house  and  a  large  garden. 
The  latter  would  seem  to  be  the  more  natural  taste.  When 
the  grounds  of  a  cottage  are  large,  they  will  be  treated  by 
the  landscape  gardener  nearly  like  those  of  a  villa  residence ; 
when  they  are  smaller  a  more  quiet  and  simple  character 
must  be  aimed  at.  But  even  where  they  consist  of  only 
a  rood  or  two,  something  tasteful  and  pretty  may  be  ar- 
ranged.* In  Fig.  23,  is  shown  a  small  piece  of  ground  on 
one  side  of  a  cottage,  in  which  a  picturesque  character  is 
attempted  to  be  maintained.  The  plantations  here  are 
made  mostly  with  shrubs  instead  of  trees,  the  latter  being 

*  For  a  variety  of  modes  of  treating  the  grounds  of  small  places,  see  our 
Designs  for  Cottage  Residences. 


ON   WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


101 


only  sparingly  introduced  for  the  want  of  room.  In  the 
disposition  of  these  shrubs,  however,  the  same  attention  to 
picturesque  effect  is  paid  as  we  have  already  pointed  out 
in  our  remarks  on  grouping ;  and  by  connecting  the  thickets 
and  groups  here  and  there,  so  as  to  conceal  one  walk  from 
the  other,  a  surprising  variety  and  effect  will  frequently  bp 
produced  in  an  exceedingly  limited  spot. 

The  same  limited  grounds 
might  be  planted  so  as  to  produce 
the  Beautiful ;  choosing,  in  this 
case,  shrubs  of  symmetrical 
growth  and  fine  forms,  planting 
and  grouping  them  somewhat 
singly,  and  allowing  every  speci- 
men to  attain  its  fullest  luxuri- 
ance of  development. 
In  making  these  arrangements, 
[Fig.  23.  Grounds  of  a  Cottage  ornie.}  even  in  the  small  area  of  a  fourth 
of  an  acre,  we  should  study  the  same  principles  and  en- 
deavor to  produce  the  same  harmony  of  effects,  as  if  we 
were  improving  a  mansion  residence  or  the  first  class.  The 
extent  of  the  operations,  and  the  sums  lavished,  are  not  by 
any  means  necessarily  connected  with  successful  and 
pleasing  results.  The  man  of  correct  taste  will,  by  the  aid 
of  very  limited  means  and  upon  a  small  surface,  be  able 
to  afford  the  mind  more  true  pleasure,  than  the  improver 
who  lavishes  thousands  without  it,  creating  no  other  emo- 
tion than  surprise  or  pity  at  the  useless  expenditure  in- 
curred ;  and  the  Abbe  Delille  says  nothing  more  true  than 
that, 

"  Ce  noble  emploi  demand  un  artiste  qui  pense, 
Prodigue  de  genie,  et  non  pas  de  depense." 


102 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


From  the  inspection  of  plans  like  these,  the  tyro  may 
learn  something  of  the  manner  of  arranging  plantations, 
and  of  the  general  effect  of  the  natural  style  in  particular 
cases  and  situations.  But  the  knowledge  they  afford  is  so 
far  below  that  obtained  by  an  inspection  of  the  effects  in 
reality,  that  the  latter  should  in  all  cases  be  preferred 
where  it  is  practicable.  In  this  style,  unlike  the  ancient, 
it  is  almost  impossible  that  the  same  plan  should  exactly 
suit  any  other  situation  than  that  for  which  it  was  intended, 
for  its  great  excellence  lies  in  the  endless  variety  produced 
by  its  application  to  different  sites,  situations,  and  surfaces  ; 
developing  the  latent  capacities  of  one  place  and  heighten- 
ing the  charms  of  another. 

But  the  leading  principles  as  regards  the  formation  of 
plantations,  which  we  have  here  endeavored  briefly  to 
elucidate,  are  the  same  in  all  cases.  After  becoming 
familiar  with  these,  should  the  amateur  landscape  gardener 
be  at  a  loss  how  to  proceed,  he  can  hardly  do  better,  as  we 
have  before  suggested,  than  to  study  and  recur  often  to  the 
beautiful  compositions  and  combinations  of  nature,  dis- 
played in  her  majestic  groups,  masses,  and  single  trees,  as 
well  as  open  glades  and  deep  thickets  ;  of  which,  fortu- 
nately, in  most  parts  of  our  country,  checkered  here  and 
there  as  it  is  with  beautiful  and  picturesque  scenery,  there 
is  no  dearth  or  scarcity.  Keeping  these  few  principles  in 
his  mind,  he  will  be  able  to  detect  new  beauties  and  trans- 
fer them  to  his  own  estate  ;  for  nature  is  truly  inexhaustible 
in  her  resources  of  the  Beautiful. 

Classification  of  trees  as  to  expression.  The 
amateur  who  wishes  to  dispose  his  plantations  in  the  natu- 
ral style  of  Landscape  Gardening  so  as  to  produce  graceful 
or  picturesque  landscape,  will  be  greatly  aided  by  a  study 


ON   WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


103 


of  the  peculiar  expression  of  trees  individually  and  in  com 
position.  The  effect  of  a  certain  tree  singly  is  often  ex- 
ceedingly different  from  that  of  a  group  of  the  same  trees. 
To  be  fully  aware  of  the  effect  of  groups  and  masses 
requires  considerable  study,  and  the  progress  in  this  study 
may  be  greatly  facilitated  by  a  recurrence  from  groups  in 
nature  to  groups  in  pictures. 

As  a  further  aid  to  this  most  desirable  species  of  infor- 
mation we  shall  offer  a  few  remarks  on  the  principal  vari- 
eties of  character  afforded  by  trees  in  composition. 

Almost  all  trees,  with  relation  to  forms,  may  be  divided 
into  three  kinds,  viz.  round-headed  trees,  oblong  or  pyra- 
midal trees,  and  spiry-topped  trees  ;  and  so  far  as  the 
expressions  of  the  different  species  comprised  in  these  dis- 
tinct classes  are  concerned,  they  are,  especially  when 
viewed  at  a  distance  (as  much  of  the  wood  seen  in  a 
prospect  of  any  extent  necessarily  must  be),  productive  of 
nearly  the  same  general  effects. 

Round-headed  trees  compose  by  far  the  largest  of  these 
divisions.  The  term  includes  all  those  trees  which  have 
an  irregular  surface  in  their  boughs,  more  or 
less  varied  in  outline,  but  exhibiting  in  the 
^SadedTi0eUesd"  whole  a  top  or  head  comparatively  round  ; 
as  the  oak,  ash,  beech,  and  walnut.  They  are  generally 
beautiful  when  young,  from  their  smoothness,  and  the  ele- 
gance of  their  forms ;  but  often  grow  picturesque  when 
age  and  time  have  had  an  opportunity  to  produce  their 
wonted  effects  upon  them.  In  general,  however,  the  dif- 
ferent round-headed  trees  may  be  considered  as  the  most 
appropriate  for  introduction  in  highly-cultivated  scenery, 
or  landscapes  where  the  character  is  that  of  graceful  or 
polished  beauty  ;  as  they  harmonize  with  almost  all  scenes, 


104 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


buildings,  and  natural  or  artificial  objects,  uniting  well  with 
other  forms  and  doing  violence  to  no  expression  of  scenery, 
from  the  numerous  breaks  in  the  surface  of  their  foliage, 
which  reflect  differently  the  lights  and  produce  deep 
shadows,  there  is  great  intricacy  and  variety  in  the  heads 
of  many  round-topped  trees ;  and  therefore,  as  an  outer 
surface  to  meet  the  eye  in  a  plantation,  they  are  much 
softer  and  more  pleasing  than  the  unbroken  line  exhibited 
by  the  sides  of  oblong  or  spiry-topped  trees.  The  sky 
outline  also,  or  the  upper  part  of  the  head,  varies  greatly 
in  round-topped  trees  from  the  irregularity  in  the  dispo- 
sition of  the  upper  branches  in  different  species,  as  the 
oak  and  ash,  or  even  between  individual  specimens  of  the 
same  kind  of  tree,  as  the  oak,  of  which  we  rarely  see 
two  trees  alike  in  form  and  outline,  although  they  have 
the  same  characteristic  expression  ;  while  on  the  other 
hand  no  two  verdant  objects  can  bear  a  greater  general 
resemblance  to  each  other  and  show  more  sameness  ol 
figure  than  two  Lombardy  poplars. 

"  In  a  tree,"  says  Uvedale  Price,  "  of  which  the  foliage 
is  everywhere  full  and  unbroken,  there  can  be  but  little 
variety  of  form ;  then,  as  the  sun  strikes  only  on  the 
surface,  neither  can  there  be  much  variety  of  light  and 
shade ;  and  as  the  apparent  color  of  objects  changes 
according  to  the  different  degrees  of  light  or.  shade  in 
which  they  are  placed,  there  can  be  as  little  variety  of 
tint ;  and  lastly,  as  there  are  none  of  these  openings  that 
excite  and  nourish  curiosity,  but  the  eye  is  everywhere 
opposed  by  one  uniform  leafy  screen,  there  can  be  as 
little  intricacy  as  variety."  From  these  remarks,  it  will 
be  perceived  that  even  among  round-headed  trees  there 
may  be  great  difference  in  the  comparative  beauty  of 


ON   WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


105 


different  sorts  ;  and  judging  from  the  excellent  standard 
here  laid  down,  it  will  also  be  seen  how  much  in  the  eye 
of  a  painter  a  tree  with  a  beautifully  diversified  surface, 
as  the  oak,  surpasses  in  the  composition  of  a  scene  one 
with  a  very  regular  and  compact  surface  and  outline,  as 
the  horse-chestnut.  In  planting  large  masses  of  wood, 
therefore,  or  even  in  forming  large  groups  in  park  scenery, 
round-headed  trees  of  the  ordinary  loose  and  varied 
manner  of  growth  common  in  the  majority  of  forest  trees, 
are  greatly  to  be  preferred  to  all  others.  When  they 
cover  large  tracts,  as  several  acres,  they  convey  an 
emotion  of  grandeur  to  the  mind  ;  when  they  form  vast 
forests  of  thousands  of  acres,  they  produce  a  feeling  of 
sublimity ;  in  the  landscape  garden  when  they  stand 
alone,  or  in  fine  groups,  they  are  graceful  or  beautiful. 
While  young  they  have  an  elegant  appearance ;  when  old 
they  generally  become  majestic  or  picturesque.  Other 
trees  may  suit  scenery  or  scenes  of  particular  and 
decided  characters,  but  round-headed  trees  are  decidedly 
the  chief  adornment  of  general  landscape. 

Spiry-topped  trees  (Fig.  25)  are  distinguished  by 
straight  leading  stems  and  horizontal  branches,  which  are 
comparatively  small,  and  taper  gradually 
to  a  point.  The  foliage  is  generally  ever- 
green, and  in  most  trees  of  this  class 
CFig'25'  iE.]°Pped  hangs  in  parallel  or  drooping  tufts  from 
the  branches.  •  The  various  evergreen  trees,  composing 
the  spruce  and  fir  families,  most  of  the  pines,  the  cedar, 
and  among  deciduous  trees,  the  larch,  belong  to  this 
division.  Their  hue  is  generally  much  darker  than  that 
of  deciduous  trees,  and  there  is  a  strong  similarity,  01 


100 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


almost  sameness,  in  the  different  kinds  of  trees  which 
may  properly  be  called  spiry-topped. 

From  their  sameness  of  form  and  surface  this  class 
of  trees,  when  planted  in  large  tracts  or  masses,  gives 
much  less  pleasure  than  round-headed  trees  ;  and  the  eye 
is  soon  wearied  with  the  monotony  of  appearance 
presented  by  long  rows,  groups,  or  masses,  of  the  same 
form,  outline,  and  appearance ;  to  say  nothing  of  the  effect 
of  the  uniform  dark  color,  unrelieved  by  the  warmer  tints 
of  deciduous  trees.  Any  one  can  bear  testimony  to  this, 
who  has  travelled  through  a  pine,  hemlock,  or  fir  forest, 
where  he  could  not  fail  to  be  struck  with  its  gloom, 
tediousness,  and  monotony,  especially  when  contrasted 
with  the  variety  and  beauty  in  a  natural  wood  of 
deciduous,  round-headed  trees. 

Although  spiry-topped  trees  in  large  masses  cannot  be 
generally  admired  for  ornamental  plantations,  yet  they 
have  a  character  of  their  own,  which  is  very  striking  and 
peculiar,  and  we  may  add,  in  a  high  degree  valuable  to 
the  Landscape  Gardener.  Their  general  expression  when 
single  or  scattered  is  extremely  spirited,  wild,  and 
picturesque ;  and  when  judiciously  introduced  into 
artificial  scenery,  they  produce  the  most  charming  and 
unique  effects.  "  The  situations  where  they  have  most 
effect  is  among  rocks  and  in  very  irregular  surfaces,  and 
especially  on  the  steep  sides  of  high  mountains,  where  their 
forms  and  the  direction  of  their  growth  seem  to  harmonize 
with  the  pointed  rocky  summits."  Fir  and  pine  forests  are 
extremely  dull  and  monotonous  in  sandy  plains  and 
smooth  surfaces  (as  in  the  pine  barrens  of  the  southern 
states)  ;  but  among  the  broken  rocks,  craggy  precipices, 


ON   WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


107 


and  otherwise  endlessly  varied  surfaces  (as  in  the  Alps, 
abroad,  and  the  various  rocky  heights  in  the  Highlands 
of  the  Hudson  and  the  Alleghanies,  at  home)  they  are 
full  of  variety.  It  will  readily  be  seen,  therefore,  that 
spiry-topped  trees  should  always  be  planted  in  considerable 
quantities  in  wild,  broken,  and  picturesque  scenes,  where 
they  will  appear  perfectly  in  keeping,  and  add  wonderfully 
to  the  peculiar  beauty  of  the  situation.  In  all  grounds 
where  there  are  abruptly  varied  surfaces,  steep  banks,  or 
rocky  precipices,  this  class  of  trees  lends  its  efficient  aid 
to  strengthen  the  prevailing  beauty,  and  to  complete  the 
finish  of  the  picture.  In  smooth,  level  surfaces,  though 
spiry-topped  trees  cannot  be  thus  extensively  employees 
they  are  by  no  means  to  be  neglected  or  thought  valueless, 
but  may  be  so  combined  and  mingled  with  other  round- 
headed  and  oblong-headed  trees,  as  to  produce  very  rich 
and  pleasing  effects.  A  tall  larch  or  two,  or  a  few  spruces 
rising  out  of  the  centre  of  a  group,  give  it  life  and  spirit, 
and  add  greatly,  both  by  contrast  of  form  and  color,  to  the 
force  of  round-headed  trees.  A  stately  and  regular  white 
pine  or  hemlock,  or  a  few  thin  groups  of  the  same  trees 
peeping  out  from  amidst,  or  bordering  a  large  mass  of 
deciduous  trees,  have  great  power  in  adding  to  the  interest 
which  the  same  awakens  in  the  mind  of  the  spectator. 
Care  must  be  taken,  however,  that  the  very  spirited  effect 
which  is  here  aimed  at,  is  not  itself  defeated  by  the  over 
anxiety  of  the  planter,  who,  in  scattering  too  profusely 
these  very  strongly  marked  trees,  makes  them  at  last  so 
plentiful,  as  to  give  the  whole  a  mingled  and  confused 
look,  in  which  neither  the  graceful  and  sweeping  outlines 
of  the  round-headed  nor  the  picturesque  summits  of  the 
spiry-topped  trees  predominate  ;  as  the  former  decidedly 


108 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING 


should,  in  all  scenes  where  an  expression  of  peculiarly 
irregular  kind  is  not  aimed  at. 

The  larch,  to  which  we  shall  hereafter  recur  at  some 
length,  may  be  considered  one  of  the  most  picturesque 
trees  of  this  division  ;  and  being  more  rapid  in  its  growth 
than  most  evergreens,  it  may  be  used  as  a  substitute  for, 
or  in  conjunction  with  them,  where  effect  is  speedily 
desired. 

Oblong-headed  trees  show  heads  of  foliage  more  length- 
ened out,  more  formal,  and  generally  more  tapering,  than 
round-headed  ones.  They  differ  from  spiry- 
topped  trees  in  having  upright  branches  instead 
of  horizontal  ones,  and  in  forming  a  conical  or 
beaded  ?rees!]  pyramidal  mass  of  foliage,  instead  of  a  spiry, 
tufted  one.  They  are  mostly  deciduous;  and  approaching 
more  nearly  to  round-headed  trees  than  spiry-topped  ones 
do,  they  may  perhaps  be  more  frequently  introduced. 
The  Lombardy  poplar  may  be  considered  the  representa- 
tive of  this  division,  as  the  oak  is  of  the  first,  and  the 
larch  and  fir  of  the  second.  Abroad,  the  oriental  cypress, 
an  evergreen,  is  used  to  produce  similar  effects  in 
scenery. 

The  great  use  of  the  Lombardy  poplar,  and  other 
similar  trees  in  composition,  is  to  relieve  or  break  into 
groups,  large  masses  of  wood.  This  it  does  very 
effectually,  when  its  tall  summit  rises  at  intervals  from 
among  round-headed  trees,  forming  pyramidal  centres 
to  groups  where  there  was  only  a  swelling  and  flowing 
outline.  Formal  rows,  or  groups  of  oblong-headed  trees, 
however,  are  tiresome  and  monotonous  to  the  last  degree , 
a  straight  line  of  them  being  scarcely  better  in  appearance 
than  a  tall,  stiff,  gigantic  hedge.    Examples  of  this  can  bo 


ON    WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


109 


easily  found  in  many  parts  of  the  Union  where  the  crude 
and  formal  taste  of  proprietors,  by  leading  them  to  plant 
long  lines  of  Lombardy  poplars,  has  had  the  effect  of 
destroying  the  beauty  of  many  a  fine  prospect  and 
building. 

Conical  or  oblong-headed  trees,  when  carefully  employed, 
are  very  effective  for  purposes  of  contrast,  in  conjunction 
with  horizontal  lines  of  buildings  such  as  we  see  in 
Grecian  or  Italian  architecture.  Near  such  edifices, 
sparingly  introduced,  and  mingled  in  small  proportion 
with  round-headed  trees,  they  contrast  advantageously 
with  the  long  cornices,  flat  roofs,  and  horizontal  lines  that 
predominate  in  their  exteriors.  Lombardy  poplars  are 
often  thus  introduced  in  pictures  of  Italian  scenery,  where  * 
they  sometimes  break  the  formality  of  a  long  line  of  wall 
in  the  happiest  manner.  Nevertheless,  if  they  should  be 
indiscriminately  employed,  or  even  used  in  any  con- 
siderable portion  in  the  decoration  of  the  ground 
immediately  adjoining  a  building  of  any  pretensions, 
they  would  inevitably  defeat  this  purpose,  and  by  their 
tall  and  formal  growth  diminish  the  apparent  magnitude, 
as  well  as  the  elegance  of  the  house. 

Drooping  trees,  though  often  classed  with  oblong- 
headed  trees,  differ  from  them  in  so  many  particulars, 
that  they  deserve  to  be  ranked  under  a  separate  head. 
To  this  class  belong  the  weeping  willow,  the  weeping 
birch,  the  drooping  elm,  etc.  Their  prominent  charac- 
teristics are  gracefulness  and  elegance  ;  and  we  considei 
them  as  unfit,  therefore,  to  be  employed  to  any  extent 
in  scenes  where  it  is  desirable  to  keep  up  the  expression 
of  a  wild  or  highly  picturesque  character.  As  single 
objects,  or  tastefully  grouped  in  beautiful  landscape,  they 


110 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


are  in  excellent  keeping,  and  contribute  much  to  give 
value  to  the  leading  expression. 

When  drooping  trees  are  mixed  indiscriminately  with 
other  round-headed  trees  in  the  composition  of  groups 
or  masses,  much  of  their  individual  character  is  lost,  as 
it  depends  not  so  much  on  the  top  (as  in  oblong  and 
spiry  trees)  as  upon  the  side  branches,  which  are  of 
course  concealed  by  those  of  the  adjoining  trees.  Droop- 
ing trees,  therefore,  as  elms,  birches,  etc.,  are  shown  to 
the  best  advantage  on  the  borders  of  groups  or  the 
boundaries  of  plantations.  It  must  not  be  forgotten,  but 
constantly  kept  in  mind,  that  all  strongly  marked  trees, 
like  bright  colors  in  pictures,  only  admit  of  occasional 
employment ;  and  that  the  very  object  aimed  at  in 
introducing  them  will  be  defeated  if  they  are  brought 
into  the  lawn  and  park  in  masses,  and  distributed 
heedlessly  on  every  side.  An  English  author  very  justly 
remarks,  therefore,  that  the  poplar,  the  willow,  and  the 
drooping  birch,  are  "  most  dangerous  trees  in  the  hands 
of  a  planter  who  has  not  considerable  knowledge  and 
good  taste  in  the  composition  of  a  landscape."  Some  of 
them,  as  the  native  elm,  from  their  abounding  in  oui 
own  woods,  may  appear  oftener ;  while  others  which 
have  a  peculiar  and  exotic  look,  as  the  weeping  willow, 
should  only  be  seen  in  situations  where  they  either  do 
not  disturb  the  prevailing  expression,  or  (which  is  better) 
where  they  are  evidently  in  good  keeping.  "  The  weeping 
willow,"  says  Gilpin,  with  his  usual  good  taste,  "is  not 
adapted  to  sublime  objects.  We  wish  it  not  to  screen 
the  broken  buttress  and  Gothic  windows  of  an  abbey, 
or  to  overshadow  the  battlements  of  a  ruined  castle. 
These  offices  it  resigns  to  the  oak,  whose  dignity  can 


ON   WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


Ill 


support  them.  The  weeping  willow  seeks  an  humble 
scene — some  romantic  footpath  bridge,  which  it  half 
conceals,  or  some  grassy  pool  over  which  it  hangs  its 
streaming  foliage, 

 '  And  dips 

Its  pendent  boughs,  as  if  to  drink.'  "  * 

The  manner  in  which  a  picturesque  bit  of  landscape 
can  be  supported  by  picturesque  spiry-topped  trees,  and 
its  expression  degraded  by  the  injudicious  employment 
of  graceful  drooping  trees,  will  be  apparent  to  the  reader 
in  the  two  accompanying  little  sketches.    In  the  first  (Fig. 

27),  the  abrupt  hill,  the  rapid 
mountain  torrent,  and  the  distant 
Alpine  summits,  are  in  fine  keep- 
ing with  the  tall  spiry  larches  and 
[Fig.  27.  Trees  in  keeping.]  firs,  which,  shooting  up  on  either 
side  of  the  old  bridge,  occupy  the  foreground.  In  the 
second  (Fig.  30),  there  is  evidently  something  discordant 
in  the  scene  which  strikes  the  spectator  at  first  sight ;  this 
is  the  misplaced  introduction  of  the  large  willows,  which 
belong  to  a  scene  very  different 
in  character.  Imagine  a  removal 
of  the  surrounding  hills,  and  let 
the  rapid  stream  spread  out  into  a 
[Fig.  28.  Trees  out  of  keeping.]  smooth  peaceful  lake  with  gradu- 
ally retiring  shores,  and  the  blue  summits  in  the  distance 
and  then  the  willows  will  harmonize  admirably. 

Having  now  described  the  peculiar  characteristics  of 
these  different  classes  of  round-headed,  spiry-topped 
oblong,  and  drooping  trees,  we  should  consider  the  proper 

*  Forest  Scenery,  p.  133. 


112 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


method  by  which  a  harmonious  combination  of  the 
different  forms  composing  them  may  be  made  so  as  not 
to  violate  correct  principles  of  taste.  An  indiscriminate 
mixture  of  their  different  forms  would,  it  is  evident, 
produce  anything  but  an  agreeable  effect.  For  example, 
let  a  person  plant  together  in  a  group,  three  trees  of 
totally  opposite  forms  and  expressions,  viz.  a  weeping 
willow,  an  oak,  and  a  poplar ;  and  the  expression  of  the 
whole  would  be  destroyed  by  the  confusion  resulting 
from  their  discordant  forms.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
mixture  of  trees  that  exactly  correspond  in  their  forms,  if 
these  forms,  as  in  oblong  or  drooping  trees,  are  similar, 
will  infallibly  create  sameness.  In  order  then  to  produce 
beautiful  variety  which  shall  neither  on  the  one  side  run 
into  confusion,  nor  on  the  other  verge  into  monotony,  it 
is  requisite  to  give  some  little  attention  to  the  harmony 
of  form  and  color  in  the  composition  of  trees  in  artificial 
plantations. 

The  only  rules  which  we  can  suggest  to  govern  the 
planter  are  these  :  First,  if  a  certain  leading  expression  is 
desired  in  a  group  of  trees,  together  with  as  great  a  variety 
as  possible,  such  species  must  be  chosen  as  harmonize  wTith 
each  other  in  certain  leading  points.  And,  secondly,  in 
occasionally  intermingling  trees  of  opposite  characters, 
discordance  may  be  prevented,  and  harmonious  expression 
promoted,  by  interposing  other  trees  of  an  intermediate 
character. 

In  the  first  case,  suppose  it  is  desired  to  form  a  group 
of  trees,  in  which  gracefulness  must  be  the  leading 
expression.  The  willow  alone  would  have  the  effect ;  but 
in  groups,  wallows  alone  produce  sameness  :  in  order 
therefore,  to  give  variety,  we  must  choose  other  trees 


ON   WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


113 


which,  while  they  differ  from  the  willow  in  some 
particulars,  agree  in  others.  The  elm  has  mucn  larger 
and  darker  foliage,  while  it  has  also  a  drooping  spray  ;  the 
weeping  birch  differs  in  its  leaves,  but  agrees  in  the  pensile 
flow  of  its  branches  ;  the  common  birch  has  few  pendent 
boughs,  but  resembles  in  the  airy  lightness  of  its  leaves  ; 
and  the  three-thorned  acacia,  though  its  branches  are 
horizontal,  has  delicate  foliage  of  nearly  the  same  hue  and 
floating  lightness  as  the  willow.  Here  we  have  a  group 
of  five  trees,  which  is,  in  the  whole,  full  of  gracefulness 
and  variety,  while  there  is  nothing  in  the  composition 
inharmonious  to  the  practised  eye. 

To  illustrate  the  second  case,  let  us  suppose  a  long 
sweeping  outline  of  maples,  birches,  and  other  light, 
mellow-colored  trees,  which  the  improver  wishes  to  vary 
and  break  into  groups,  by  spiry-topped,  evergreen  trees. 
It  is  evident,  that  if  these  trees  were  planted  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  peer  abruptly  out  of  the  light-colored  foliage 
of  the  former  trees,  in  dark  or  almost  black  masses  of 
tapering  verdure,  the  effect  would  be  by  no  means  so 
satisfactory  and  pleasing,  as  if  there  were  a  partial 
transition  from  the  mellow,  pale  green  of  the  maples,  etc., 
to  the  darker  hues  of  the  oak,  ash,  or  beech,  and  finally 
the  sombre  tint  of  the  evergreens.  Thus  much  for  the 
coloring ;  and  if,  in  addition  to  this,  oblong-headed  trees 
or  pyramidal  trees  were  also  placed  near  and  partly 
intermingled  with  the  spiry-topped  ones,  the  unity  of  the 
whole  composition  would  be  still  more  complete.* 

*  We  are  persuaded  that  very  few  persons  are  aware  of  the  beauty,  varied 
and  endless,  that  may  be  produced  by  arranging  trees  with  regard  to  their 
coloring.  It  requires  the  eye  and  genius  of  a  Claude  or  a  Poussin,  to 
develope  all  these  hidden  beautves  of  harmonious  combination.    Gilpin  rightly 

8 


114 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Contrasts,  again,  are  often  admissible  in  woody  scenery  ; 
and  we  would  not  wish  to  lose  many  of  our  most  superb 
trees,  because  they  could  not  be  introduced  in  particular 
portions  of  landscape.  Contrasts  in  trees  may  be  so 
violent  as  to  be  displeasing ;  as  in  the  example  of  the 
groups  of  the  three  trees,  the  willow,  poplar,  and  oak  : 
or  they  may  be  such  as  to  produce  spirited  and  pleasing 
effects.  This  must  be  effected  by  planting  the  different 
divisions  of  trees,  first,  in  small  leading  groups,  and  then 
by  effecting  a  union  between  the  groups  of  different 
character,  by  intermingling  those  of  the  nearest  similarity 
into  and  near  the  groups :  in  this  way,  by  easy  transitions 
from  the  drooping  to  the  round-headed,  and  from  these  to 
the  tapering  trees,  the  whole  of  the  foliage  and  forms 
harmonize  well. 


|  Fig.  29.   Example  in  grouping.] 


"  Trees,"  observes  Mr.  Whately,  in  his  elegant  treatise 
on  this  subject,  "  which  differ  in  but  one  of  these 
circumstances,  of  shape,  green,  or  growth,  though  they 
agree  in  every  other,  are  sufficiently  distinguished  for  the 

pays,  in  speaking  of  the  dark  Scotch  fir,  "  with  regard  to  color  in  general,  1 
Jhink  I  speak  the  language  of  painting,  when  I  assert  that  the  picturesque  eye 
makes  little  distinction  in  this  matter.  It  has  no  attachment  to  one  color  in 
preference  to  another,  but  considers  the  beauty  of  all  coloring  as  resulting,  not 
from  the  colors  themselves,  but  almost  entirely  from  their  harmony  with  other 
jolors  in  their  neighborhood.  So  that  as  the  Scotch  fir  tree  is  combined  or 
stationed,  it  forms  a  beautiful  umbrage  or  a  murky  spot." 


ON   WOOD   AND  PLANTATIONS. 


115 


purpose  of  variety  ;  if  they  differ  in  two  or  three,  they 
become  contrasts  :  if  in  all,  they  are  opposite,  and  seldom 
group  well  together.  Those,  on  the  contrary,  which  are 
of  one  character,  and  are  distinguished  only  as  the 
characteristic  mark  is  strongly  or  faintly  impressed  upon 
them,  form  a  beautiful  mass,  and  unity  is  preserved 
without  sameness."* 

There  is  another  circumstance  connected  with  the 
color  of  trees,  that  will  doubtless  suggest  itself  to  the 
improver  of  taste,  the  knowledge  of  which  may  sometimes 
be  turned  to  valuable  account.  We  mean  the  effects 
produced  in  the  apparent  coloring  of  a  landscape  by 
distance,  which  painters  term  aerial  perspective.  Stand- 
ing at  a  certain  position  in  a  scene,  the  coloring  is  deep, 
rich,  and  full  in  the  foreground,  more  tender  and  mellow 
in  the  middle-ground,  and  softening  to  a  pale  tint  in  the 
distance. 

"  Where  to  the  eye  three  well  marked  distances 
Spread  their  peculiar  coloring,  vivid  green, 
Warm  brown,  and  black  opake  the  foreground  bears 
Conspicuous:  sober  olive  coldly  marks 
The  second  distance ;  thence  the  third  declines 
In  softer  blue,  or  lessening  still,  is  lost 
In  fainted  purple.    When  thy  taste  is  call'd 
To  deck  a  scene  where  nature's  self  presents 
All  these  distinct  gradations,  then  rejoice 
As  does  the  Painter,  and  like  him  apply 
Thy  colors  ;  plant  thou  on  each  separate  part 
Its  proper  foliage." 

Advantage  may  occasionally  be  taken  of  this  peculiarity 
in  the  gradation  of  color,  in  Landscape  Gardening,  by  the 
creation,  as  it  were,  of  an  artificial  distance.    In  grounds 


Observations  on  Modern  Gardening. 


no 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


and  scenes  of  limited  extent,  the  apparent  size  and 
breadth  may  be  increased,  by  planting  a  majority  of  the 
trees  in  the  foreground,  of  dark  tints,  and  the  boundary 
with  foliage  of  a  much  lighter  hue. 

An  acquaintance,  individually,  with  the  different 
species  of  trees  of  indigenous  and  foreign  growth,  which 
may  be  cultivated  with  success  in  this  climate,  is 
absolutely  essential  to  the  amateur  or  the  professor  of 
Landscape  Gardening.  The  tardiness  or  rapidity  of  their 
growth,  the  periods  at  which  their  leaves  and  flowers 
expand,  the  soils  they  love  best,  and  their  various  habits 
and  characters,  are  all  subjects  of  the  highest  interest  to 
him.  In  short,  as  a  love  of  the  country  almost  commences 
with  a  knowledge  of  its  peculiar  characteristics,  the  pure 
air,  the  fresh  enamelled  turf,  and  the  luxuriance  and 
oeauty  of  the  whole  landscape ;  so  the  taste  for  the 
embellishment  of  Rural  Residences  must  grow  out  of  an 
admiration  for  beautiful  trees,  and  the  delightful  effects 
they  are  capable  of  producing  in  the  hands  of  persons  of 
taste  and  lovers  of  nature. 

Admitting  this,  we  think,  in  the  comparatively  meagre 
state  of  general  information  on  this  subject  among  us,  we 
shall  render  an  acceptable  service  to  the  novice,  by  giving 
a  somewhat  detailed  description  of  the  character  and 
habits  of  most  of  the  finest  hardy  forest  and  ornamental 
trees.  Among  those  living  in  the  country,  there  are 
many  who  care  little  for  ihe  beauties  of  Landscape 
Gardening,  who  are  yet  interested  in  those  trees  which 
are  remarkable  for  the  beauty  of  their  forms,  their  foliage, 
their  blossoms,  or  their  useful  purposes.  This,  we  hope, 
will  be  a  sufficient  explanation  for  the  apparently 
disproportionate  number  of  pages  which  we  shall  devote 
to  this  part  of  our  subject. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


117 


SECTION  IV. 

DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 
The  History  and  Description  of  all  the  finest  hardy  Deciduous  Trees.    Remarks  Oa 

THEIR  SrjSCTS  IN  LANDSCAPE  GARDENING,  INDIVIDUALLY  AND  IN  COMPOSITION.  Their 

Cultivation,  etc.  The  Oak.  The  Elm.  The  Ash.  The  Linden.  The  Beech.  The 
Poplar.  The  Horse-chestnut.  The  Birch.  The  Alder.  The  Maple.  The  Locust. 
The  Three-thorned  Acacia.  The  Judas-tree.  The  Chestnut.  The  Osage  Orange. 
The  Mulberry.  The  Paper  Mulberry.  The  Sweet  Gum.  The  Walnut.  The  Hickory 
The  Mouniain  Ash.  The  Ailantus.  The  Kentucky  Coffee.  The  Willow.  The 
Sassafras.  The  Catalpa.  The  Persimon.  The  Pepperidge.  The  Thorn.  The 
Magnolia.  The  Tulip.  The  Dogwood.  The  Salisburia.  The  Paulonia.  The  Virgilia 
The  Cypress.   The  Larch,  etc. 

0  gloriosi  spiriti  de  gli  boschi, 
O  Eco,  o  antri  foschi,  o  chiare  linfe, 
O  faretrate  ninfe,  o  agresti  Pani, 
O  Satiri  e  Silvani,  o  Fauni  e  Driadi, 
Naiadi  ed  Amadriadi,  o  Semidee 
Oreadi  e  Napee. — 

Sannazzaro 

"  0  spirits  of  the  woods, 
Echoes  and  solitudes,  and  lakes  of  light ; 
O  quivered  virgins  bright,  Pan's  rustical 
Satyrs  and  sylvans  all,  dryads  and  ye 
That  up  the  mountains  be  ;  and  ye  beneath 
In  meadow  or  in  flowery  heath." 

The  Oak.  Quercus. 

Nat.  Ord.  Corylaceae.  Lin.  Syst.  Monoecia,  Polyandria. 

H  E  Arcadians  believed  the  oak  to  have 
been  the  first  created  of  all  trees ;  and 
when  we  consider  its  great  and  surpassing 
utility  and  beauty,  we  are  fully  disposed 
:o  concede  it  the  first  rank  among  the  denizens  of  the 


118 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


forest.  Springing  up  with  a  noble  trunk,  and  stretching 
out  its  broad  limbs  over  the  soil, 

"  These  monarchs  of  the  wood, 
Dark,  gnarled,  centennial  oaks," 

seem  proudly  to  bid  defiance  to  time  ;  and  while  generations 
of  man  appear  and  disappear,  they  withstand  the  storms  of 
a  thousand  winters,  and  seem  only  to  grow  more  venerable 
and  majestic.  They  are  mentioned  in  the  oldest  histories ; 
we  are  told  that  Absalom  was  caught  by  his  hair  in  "  the 
thick  boughs  of  a  great  oak  ;"  and  Herodotus  informs  us 
that  the  first  oracle  was  that  of  Dodona,  set  up  in  the 
celebrated  oak  grove  of  that  name.  There,  at  first,  the 
oracles  were  delivered  by  the  priestesses,  but,  as  was  after- 
wards believed,  by  the  inspired  oaks  themselves — 

"  Which  in  Dodona  did  enshrine, 
So  faith  too  fondly  deemed,  a  voice  divine." 

Acorns,  the  fruit  of  the  oak,  appear  to  have  been  held  in 
considerable  estimation  as  an  article  of  food  among  the 
ancients.  Not  only  were  the  swine  fattened  upon  them,  as 
in  our  own  forests,  but  they  were  ground  into  flour,  with 
which  bread  was  made  by  the  poorer  classes.  Lucretius 
mentions,  that  before  grain  was  known  they  were  the  com- 
mon food  of  man ;  but  we  suppose  the  fruit  of  the  chestnut 
may  also  have  been  included  under  that  term. 

"  That  oake  whose  acornes  were  our  foode  before 
The  Cerese  seede  of  mortal  man  was  knowne." 

Spenser. 

The  civic  crown,  given  in  the  palmy  days  of  Rome  to 
the  most  celebrated  men,  was  also  composed  of  oak  leaves 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


110 


It  should  not  be  forgotten  that  the  oak  was  worshipped 
□y  the  ancient  Britons.  Baal  or  Yiaoul  (whence  Yule) 
was  the  god  of  fire,  whose  symbol  was  an  oak.  Hence  at 
his  festival,  which  was  at  Christmas,  the  ceremony  of  kin- 
dling the  Yule  log  was  performed  among  the  ancient  Druids. 
This  fire  was  kept  perpetual  throughout  the  year,  and  the 
hearths  of  all  the  people  were  annually  lighted  from  these 
sacred  fires  every  Christmas.  We  believe  the  curious 
custom  is  still  extant  in  some  remote  parts  of  England, 
where  the  "  Yule  log"  is  ushered  in  with  much  glee  and 
rejoicing  once  a  year. 

As  an  ornamental  object  we  consider  the  oak  the  most 
varied  in  expression,  the  most  beautiful,  grand,  majestic, 
and  picturesque  of  all  deciduous  trees.  The  enormous 
size  and  extreme  old  age  to  which  it  attains  in  a  favorable 
situation,  the  great  space  of  ground  that  it  covers  with  its 
branches,  and  the  strength  and  hardihood  of  the  tree,  all 
contribute  to  stamp  it  with  the  character  of  dignity  and 
grandeur  beyond  any  other  compeer  of  the  forest.  When 
young  its  fine  foliage  (singularly  varied  in  many  of  our 
native  species)  and  its  thrifty  form  render  it  a  beautiful 
tree.  But  it  is  not  until  the  oak  has  attained  considerable 
size  that  it  displays  its  true  character,  and  only  when  at  an 
age  that  would  terminate  the  existence  of  most  other  trees 
that  it  exhibits  all  its  magnificence.  Then  its  deeply  fur- 
rowed trunk  is  covered  with  mosses  ;  its  huge  branches, 
each  a  tree,  spreading  out  horizontally  from  the  trunk  with 
great  boldness,  its  trunk  of  huge  dimension,  and  its  "  high 
top,  bald  with  dry  antiquity  all  these,  its  true  character- 
istics, stamp  the  oak,  as  Virgil  has  expressed  it  in  his 
Georgics — 


120 


LANDSCATE  GARDENING. 


"  Jove's  own  tree, 
That  holds  the  woods  in  awful  sovereignty 
For  length  of  ages  lasts  his  happy  reign, 
And  lives  of  mortal  man  contend  in  vain. 
Full  in  the  midst  of  his  own  strength  he  stands, 
Stretching  his  brawny  arms  and  leafy  hands, 
His  shade  protects  the  plains,  his  head  the  hills  commands." 

Dryden's  Trans. 

"  The  oak,"  says  Gilpin,  "  is  confessedly  the  most  pictu- 
resque tree  in  itself,  and  the  most  accommodating  in  com- 
position. It  refuses  no  subject  either  in  natural  or  in 
artificial  landscape.  It  is  suited  to  the  grandest,  and  may 
with  propriety  be  introduced  into  the  most  pastoral.  It 
adds  new  dignity  to  the  ruined  tower  and  the  Gothic  arch ; 
and  by  stretching  its  wild,  moss-grown  branches  athwart 
their  ivied  walls,  it  gives  them  a  kind  of  majesty  coeval 
with  itself ;  at  the  same  time  its  propriety  is  still  preserved 
if  it  throws  its  arms  over  the  purling  brook  or  the  mantling 
pool,  where  it  beholds 

"  Its  reverend  image  in  the  expanse  below." 

Milton  introduces  it  happily  even  in  the  lowest  scene— 

"  Hard  by  a  cottage  chimney  smokes, 
From  between  two  aged  oaks." 

The  oak  is  not  only  one  of  the  grandest  and  most  pictu- 
resque objects  as  a  single  tree  upon  a  lawn,  but  it  is  equally 
unrivalled  for  groups  and  masses.  There  is  a  breadth  about 
the  lights  and  shadows  reflected  and  embosomed  in  its 
foliage,  a  singular  freedom  and  boldness  in  its  outline,  and 
a  pleasing  richness  and  intricacy  in  its  huge  ramification 
of  branch  and  limb,  that  render  it  highly  adapted  to  these 
purposes.    Some  trees,  as  the  willow  or  the  spiry  poplar 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


121 


though  pleasing  singly,  are  monotonous  to  the  last  degree 
when  planted  in  quantities.  Not  so,  however,  with  the 
oak,  as  there  is  no  tree,  when  forming  a  wood  entirely  by 
itself,  which  affords  so  great  a  variety  of  form  and  dispo< 
sition,  light  and  shade,  symmetry  and  irregularity,  as  this 
king  of  the  forests. 

To  arrive  at  its  highest  perfection,  ample  space  on  every 
side  must  be  allowed  the  oak.  A  free  exposure  to  the  sun 
and  air,  and  a  deep  mellow  soil,  are  highly  necessary  to  its 
fullest  amplitude.    For  this  reason,  the  oaks  of  our  forests, 


[Fig.  SO.   The  Charter  Oak,  Hartford.] 


being  thickly  crowded,  are  seldom  of  extraordinary  size ; 
and  there  are  more  truly  majestic  oaks  in  the  parks  of 
England  than  are  to  be  found  in  the  whole  cultivated  por- 
tion of  the  United  States.  Here  and  there,  however, 
throughout  our  c  ountry  may  be  seen  a  solitary  oak  of  great 


122 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


age  and  immense  size,  which  attests  the  fitness  of  the  soil 
and  climate,  and  displays  the  grandeur  of  our  native  species 
The  Wadsworth  Oak  near  Geneseo,  N.  Y.,  of  extraordinary 
dimensions,  the  product  of  one  of  our  most  fertile  valleys, 
has  attracted  the  admiration  of  hundreds  of  travellers  on 
the  route  to  Niagara.  Its  trunk  measures  thirty-six  feet  in 
circumference.  The  celebrated  Charter  Oak  at  Hartford, 
which  has  figured  so  conspicuously  in  the  history  of  New 
England,  is  still  existing  in  a  green  old  age,  one  of  the  most 
interesting  monuments  of  the  past  to  be  found  in  the 
country. 

Near  the  village  of  Flushing,  Long  Island,  on  the  farm 
of  Judge  Lawrence,  is  growing  one  of  the  noblest  oaks  in 
the  country.  It  is  truly  park-like  in  its  dimensions,  the 
circumference  of  the  trunk  being  nearly  thirty  feet,  and  its 
majestic  head  of  corresponding  dignity.  In  the  deep 
alluvial  soil  of  the  western  valleys,  the  oak  often  assumes 
a  grand  aspect,  and  bears  witness  to  the  wonderful  fertility 
of  the  soil  in  that  region. 

Different  species  of  Oak.  This  country  is  peculiarly 
rich  in  various  kinds  of  oak ;  Michaux  enumerating  no  less 
than  forty  species  indigenous  to  North  America.  Of  these 
the  most  useful  are  the  Live  oak  (Quercus  virens),  of  such 
inestimable  value  for  ship-building  ;  the  Spanish  oak  (Q. 
falcata)  ;  the  Red  oak  (Q.  rubra),  etc.,  the  bark  of  which 
is  extensively  used  in  tanning ;  the  Quercitron  or  Black 
oak,  which  is  highly  valuable  as  affording  a  fine  yellow  or 
brown  dye  for  wool,  silks,  paper-hangings,  etc.  ;  and  the 
White  oak,  which  is  chiefly  used  for  timber.    We  shall 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


123 


here  describe  only  a  few  of  those  which  are  most  entitled 
to  the  consideration  of  the  planter,  either  for  their  valuable 
properties  or  as  ornamental  trees,  and  calculated  for  plant- 
ing in  woods  or  single  masses. 

The  White  oak.  (Quercus  alba.)  This  is  one  of  the  most 
common  of  the  American  oaks,  being  very  generally  dis- 
tributed over  the  country,  from  Canada  to  the  southern 
states.  In  good  strong  soils  it  forms  a  tree  70  or  80  feet 
high,  with  wide  extending  branches  ;  but  its  growth  de- 
pends much  upon  this  circumstance.  It  may  readily  be 
known  even  in  winter  by  its  whitish  bark,  and  by  the  dry 
and  withered  leaves  which  often  hang  upon  this  species 
through  the  whole  of  that  season.  The  leaves  are  about 
four  inches  wide  and  six  in  length,  divided  uniformly  into 
rounded  lobes  without  points  ;  these  lobes  are  deeper  in 
damp  soils.  When  the  leaves  first  unfold  in  the  spring 
they  are  downy  beneath,  but  when  fully  grown  they  are 
quite  smooth,  and  pale  green  on  the  upper  surface  and 
whitish  or  glaucous  below.  The  acorn  is  oval  and  the  cup 
somewhat  flattened  at  the  base.  This  is  the  most  valuable 
of  all  our  native  oaks,  immense  quantities  of  the  timber 
being  used  for  various  purposes  in  building  ;  and  staves  of 
the  white  oak  for  barrels  are  in  universal  use  throughout 
the  Union.  The  great  occasional  size  and  fine  form  of  this 
tree,  in  some  natural  situations,  prove  how  noble  an  object 
it  would  become  when  allowed  to  expand  in  full  vigor  and 
majesty  in  the  open  air  and  light  of  the  park.  It  more 
nearly  approaches  the  English  oak  in  appearance  than  any 
other  American  species. 

Rock  Chestnut  oak.  (Q.  Prinus  Monticola.)  This  is 
one  of  the  most  ornamental  of  our  oaks,  and  is  found  in 
considerable  abundance  in  the  middle  states.    It  has  the 


124 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


peculiar  advantage  of  growing  well  on  the  most  barren  and 
rocky  soils,  and  can  therefore  be  advantageously  employed 
by  the  landscape  gardener,  when  a  steep,  dry,  rocky  bank  ia 
to  be  covered  with  trees.  In  deep,  mellow  soil,  its  growth 
is  wonderfully  vigorous,  and  it  rapidly  attains  a  height  of 
50  or  60  feet,  with  a  corresponding  diameter.  The  head 
is  rather  more  symmetrical  in  form  and  outline  than  most 
trees  of  this  genus,  and  the  stem,  in  free,  open  places,  shoots 
up  into  a  lofty  trunk.  The  leaves  are  five  or  six  inches 
long,  three  or  four  broad,  oval  and  uniformly  denticulated, 
with  the  teeth  more  regular  but  less  acute  than  the  Chest- 
nut white  oak.  When  beginning  to  open  in  the  spring 
they  are  covered  with  a  thick  down ;  but  when  fully  ex- 
panded they  are  perfectly  smooth  and  of  a  delicate  texture. 
Michaux. 

Chestnut  White  oak.  (Quercus  Prinus  palustris.) 
This  species  much  resembles  the  last,  but  differs  in 
having  longer  leaves,  which  are  obovate,  and  deeply 
toothed.  It  is  sparingly  found  in  the  northern  states,  and 
attains  its  greatest  altitude  in  the  south,  where  it  is  often 
seen  90  feet  in  height.  Though  generally  found  in  the 
neighborhood  of  swamps  and  low  grounds,  it  grows  with 
wonderful  rapidity  in  a  good,  moderately  dry  soil,  and 
from  the  beauty  of  its  fine  spreading  head,  and  the 
quickness  of  its  growth,  is  highly  deserving  of  introduction 
into  our  plantations. 

The  Yellow  oak.  (Q.  Prinus  acuminata.)  The 
Yellow  oak  may  be  found  scattered  through  our  woods 
over  nearly  the  whole  of  the  Union.  Its  leaves  are 
lanceolate,  and  regularly  toothed,  light  green  above,  and 
whitish  beneath ;  the  acorns  small.  It  forms  a  stately 
tree,  70  feet  high  ;  and  the  branches  are  more  upright  in 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREE3. 


125 


their  growth,  and  more  clustering,  as  it  were,  round  the 
central  trunk,  than  other  species.  The  beauty  of  its  long 
pointed  leaves,  and  their  peculiar  mode  of  growth, 
recommend  it  to  mingle  with  other  trees,  to  which  it 
will  add  variety. 

The  Pin  oak.  (Q.  palustris.)  The  Pin  oak  forms  a 
tree  in  moist  situations,  varying  in  height  from  60  to  80 
feet.  The  great  number  of  small  branches  intermingleu 
with  the  large  ones,  have  given  rise  to  the  name  of  this 
variety.  It  is  a  hardy,  free  growing  species,  particularly 
upon  moist  soils.  Loudon  considers  it,  from  its  "  far 
extending,  drooping  branches,  and  light  and  elegant 
foliage,"  among  the  most  graceful  of  oaks.  It  is  well 
adapted  to  small  groups,  and  is  one  of  the  most  thrifty 
growing  and  easily  obtained  of  all  our  northern  oaks. 

The  Willow  oak.  (Q.  Phellos)  This  remarkable 
species  of  oak  may  be  recognised  at  once  by  its  narrow, 
entire  leaves,  shaped  almost  like  those  of  the  willow,  and 
about  the  same  size,  though  thicker  in  texture.  It  is  not 
found  wild  north  of  the  barrens  of  New  Jersey,  where  it 
grows  plentifully,  but  thrives  well  in  cultivation  much 
further  north.  The  stem  of  this  tree  is  remarkably  smooth 
in  every  stage  of  its  growth.  It  is  so  different  in 
appearance  and  character  from  the  other  species  of  this 
genus,  that  in  plantations  it  would  never  be  recognised  by 
a  person  not  conversant  with  oaks,  as  one  of  the  family. 
It  deserves  to  be  introduced  into  landscapes  for  its 
singularity  as  an  oak,  and  its  lightness  and  elegance  of 
foliage  individually. 

The  Mossy-cup  oak.  (Q.  olivceformis )  This  is  so 
called  because  the  scales  of  the  cups  terminate  in  a  long, 
moss-like  fringe,  nearly  covering  the  acorn.    It  is  quite  a 


126 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


rare  species,  being  only  found  on  the  upper  banks  of  the 
Hudson,  and  on  the  Genesee  river.  The  foliage  is  fine; 
large,  and  deeply  cut,  and  the  lower  branches  of  the  tree 
droop  in  a  beautiful  manner  when  it  has  attained  some 
considerable  size.  Quercus  macrocarpa,  the  Over-cup 
White  oak,  is  another  beautiful  kind  found  in  the  westerr 
states,  which  a  good  deal  resembles  the  Mossy-cup  oak  in 
the  acorn.  The  foliage,  however,  is  uncommonly  fine, 
being  the  largest  in  size  of  any  American  species ;  fifteen 
inches  long,  and  eight  broad.  It  is  a  noble  tree,  with  fine 
deep  green  foliage  ;  and  the  growth  of  a  specimen  planted 
in  our  grounds  has  been  remarkably  vigorous. 

Scarlet  oak.  (Quercus  coccinea)  A  native  of  the 
middle  states  ;  a  noble  tree,  often  eighty  feet  high.  The 
leaves,  borne  on  long  petioles,  are  a  bright  lively  green  on 
both  surfaces,  with  four  deep  cuts  on  each  side,  widest  at 
the  bottom.  The  great  and  peculiar  beauty  of  this  tree, 
we  conceive  to  be  its  property  of  assuming  a  deep  scarlet 
tint  in  autumn.  At  that  period  it  may,  at  a  great 
distance,  be  distinguished  from  all  other  oaks,  and  indeed 
from  every  other  forest  tree.  It  is  highly  worthy  of  a 
place  in  every  plantation. 

The  Live  oak.  (Quercus  virens)  This  fine  species 
will  not  thrive  north  of  Virginia.  Its  imperishable  timber 
is  the  most  valuable  in  our  forests  ;  and,  at  the  south,  it  is 
a  fine  park  tree,  when  cultivated,  growing  about  40  feet 
nigh,  with,  however,  a  rather  wide  and  low  head.  The 
thick  oval  leaves  are  evergreen,  and  it  is  much  to  be 
regretted  that  this  noble  tree  will  not  bear  our  northern 
winters. 

The  English  Royal  oak.  (Q.  robur.)  This  is  the  great 
representative  of  the  family  in  Europe,  and  is  one  of  the 


J 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL   TREES.  127 

most  magnificent  of  the  genus,  growing  often  in  the  fine 
old  woods  and  parks  of  England,  to  eighly  and  one 
hundred  feet  in  height.  The  branches  spread  over  a 
great  surface.  "  The  leaves  are  petiolated,  smooth,  and 
of  a  uniform  color  on  both  sides,  enlarged  towards  the 
summit,  and  very  coarsely  toothed."  As  a  single  tree  foi 
park  scenery,  this  equals  any  American  species  in  majesty 
of  form,  though  it  is  deficient  in  individual  beauty  of 
foliage  to  some  of  our  oaks.  It  is  to  be  found  for  sale  in 
our  nurseries,  and  we  hope  will  become  well  known 
among  us.  The  timber  is  closer  grained  and  more 
durable,  though  less  elastic  than  the  best  American  oak  , 
and  Michaux,  in  his  Sylva,  recommends  its  introduction 
into  this  country  largely,  on  these  accounts. 

The  Turkey  oak.  (Q.  Cerris.)  There  are  two 
beautiful  hybrid  varieties  of  this  species,  which  have 
been  raised  in  England  by  Messrs.  Lucombe  and  Fulham, 
which  we  hope  will  yet  be  found  in  our  ornamental 
plantations.  They  are  partially  evergreen  in  winter, 
remarkably  luxuriant  in  their  growth,  attaining  a  height 
of  seventy  or  eighty  feet,  and  elegant  in  foliage  and 
outline.  The  Lucombe  and  Fulham  oaks  grow  from  one 
to  five  feet  in  a  season  ;  the  trees  assume  a  beautiful 
pyramidal  shape,  and  as  they  retain  their  fine  glossy 
leaves  till  May,  they  would  form  a  fine  contrast  to  other 
deciduous  trees. 

We  might  here  enumerate  a  great  number  of  other  fine 
foreign  oaks ;  among  which  the  most  interesting  are  the 
Holly  or  Holm  oak  (Quercus  Ilex)  ;  and  the  Cork  oak 
(Q.  Suber),  of  the  south  of  France,  which  produces  the 
cork  of  commerce  (both  rather  too  tender  for  the  north) ; 
the  Kermes  oak  (Q.  coccifera),  from  which  a  scarlet  dye 


128 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


is  obtained  ;  and  the  Italian  Esculent  oak  (Q.  Esculus), 
with  sweet  nutritious  acorns.  Those,  however,  who 
wish  to  investigate  them,  will  pursue  this  subject  further 
in  European  works ;  while  that  splendid  treatise  on  our 
forest  trees,  the  North  American  Sylva  of  Michaux,  will 
be  found  to  give  full  and  accurate  descriptions  of  all  our 
numerous  indigenous  varieties,  of  which  many  are 
peculiar  to  the  southern  states. 

The  oak  flourishes  best  on  a  strong  loamy  soil,  rather 
moist  than  dry.  Here  at  least  the  growth  is  most  rapid, 
although,  for  timber,  the  wood  is  generally  not  so  sound 
on  a  moist  soil  as  a  dry  one,  and  the  tree  goes  to  decay 
more  rapidly.  Among  the  American  kinds,  however, 
some  may  be  found  adapted  to  every  soil  and  situation, 
though  those  species  which  grow  on  upland  soils,  in 
stony,  clayey,  or  loamy  bottoms,  attain  the  greatest  size 
and  longevity.  When  immense  trees  are  desired,  the  oak 
should  either  be  transplanted  very  young,  or,  which  is 
preferable,  raised  from  the  acorn  sown  where  it  is  finally 
to  remain.  This  is  necessary  on  account  of  the  very 
large  tap  roots  of  this  genus  of  trees,  which  are  either 
entirely  destroyed  or  greatly  injured  by  removal.  Trans- 
planting this  genus  of  trees  should  be  performed  either 
early  in  autumn,  as  soon  as  the  leaves  fall  or  become 
brown,  or  in  spring  before  the  abundant  rains  commence. 


The  Elm.  Ulmus. 
Nat.  Ord.  Ulmaceae.  Lin.  Syst.  Pentandria,  Digynia. 

We  have  ascribed  to  the  oak  the  character  of  pre- 


DECIDUOUS  ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


129 


eminent  dignity  and  majesty  among  the  trees  of  the  forest. 
Let  us  now  claim  for  the  elm  the  epithets  graceful  and 
elegant.  This  tree  is  one  of  the  noblest  in  the  size  cf  its 
trunk,  while  the  branches  are  comparatively  tapering  and 
slender,  forming  themselves,  in  most  of  the  species,  into 
long  ana  graceful  curves.  The  flowers  are  of  a  chocolate 
or  purple  color,  and  appear  in  the  month  of  April,  before 
the  leaves.  The  latter  are  light  and  airy,  of  a  pleasing 
light  green  in  the  spring,  growing  darker,  however,  as  the 
season  advances.  The  elm  is  one  of  the  most  common 
trees  in  both  continents,  and  has  been  well  known  for  its 
beauty  and  usefulness  since  a  remote  period.  In  the 
south  of  Europe,  particularly  in  Lombardy,  elm  trees  are 
planted  in  vineyards,  and  the  vines  are  trained  in  festoons 
from  tree  to  tree  in  the  most  picturesque  manner.  Tasso 
alludes  to  this  in  the  following  stanza : 

"  Corne  olmo,  a  cui  la  pampinosa  pianta 
Cupida  s'avviticchi  e  si  marite  ; 
Se  ferro  il  tronca,  o  fulmine  lo  schianta 
Trae  seco  a  terra  la  compagna  vite." 

Gerusalemme  Liberata,  2.  326. 

It  is  one  of  the  most  common  trees  for  public  walks 

and  avenues,  along  the  high  way  s\in  France  and  Germany, 

growing  with  great  rapidity,  and  soon  forming  a  widely 

extended  shade.    In  Europe,  the  elm  is  much  used  for 

keels  in  ship-building,  and  is  remarkably  durable  in  water ; 

more  extensive  use  is  made  of  it  there  than  of  the 

American  kinds  in  this  country,  though  the  wood  of  the 

Red  American  elm  is  more  valuable  than  any  other  in 

the  United  States  for  the  blocks  used  in  ship  rigging. 

For  its  graceful  beauty  the  elm  h  entitled  to  high 

9 


130 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


regard.  Standing  alone  as  a  single  tree,  or  in  a  group 
of  at  most  three  or  four  in  number,  it  developes  itself  in 
all  its  perfection.  The  White  American  elm  we  consider 
the  most  beautiful  of  the  family,  and  to  this  we  more 
particularly  allude.  In  such  situations  as  we  have  just 
mentioned,  this  tree  developes  its  fine  ample  form  in  the 
most  perfect  manner.  Its  branches  first  spring  up  em- 
bracing the  centre,  then  bend  off  in  finely  diverging  lines, 
until  in  old  trees  they  often  sweep  the  ground  with  their 
loose  pendent  foliage.  With  all  this  lightness  and  peculiar 
gracefulness  of  form,  it  is  by  no  means  a  meagre  looking 
tree  in  the  body  of  its  foliage,  as  its  thick  tufted  masses 
of  leaves  reflect  the  sun  and  embosom  the  shadows  as 
finely  as  almost  any  other  tree,  the  oak  excepted.  We 
consider  it  peculiarly  adapted  for  planting,  in  scenes 
where  the  expression  of  elegant  or  classical  beauty  is 
desired.  In  autumn  the  foliage  assumes  a  lively  yellow 
tint,  contrasting  well  with  the  richer  and  more  glowing 
colors  of  our  native  woods.  Even  in  winter  it  is  a 
pleasing  object,  from  the  minute  division  of  its  spray  and 
the  graceful  droop  of  its  branches.  It  is  one  of  the  most 
generally  esteemed  of  our  native  trees  for  ornamental 
purposes,  and  is  as  great  a  favorite  here  as  in  Europe  for 
planting  in  public  squares  and  along  the  highways. 
Beautiful  specimens  may  be  seen  in  Cambridge,  Mass., 
and  very  fine  avenues  of  this  tree  are  growing  with  great 
luxuriance  in  and  about  New  Haven.*  The  charming 
villages  of  New  England,  among  which  Northampton 
and  Springfield  are  pre-eminent,  borrow  from  the  superb 
and  wonderfully  luxuriant  elms  which  decorate  their  fine 


*  The  great  elm  of  Boston  Common  is  22  feet  in  circumference. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


131 


streets  and  avenues,  the  greater  portion  of  their  peculiai 
loveliness.  The  elm  should  not  be  chosen  where  large 
groups  and  masses  are  required,  as  the  similarity  of  its 
form  in  different  individuals  might  then  create  a  mo- 
notony ;  but  as  we  have  before  observed,  it  is  peculiarly 
well  calculated  for  small  groups,  or  as  a  single  object. 
The  roughness  of  the  bark,  contrasting  with  the  lightness 
of  its  foliage  and  the  easy  sweep  of  its  branches,  adds 
much  also  to  its  effect  as  a  whole. 

We  shall  briefly  describe  the  principal  species  of  the 
elm. 

The  American  White  elm.  (Ulmus  Americana.)  This 
is  the  best  known  and  most  generally  distributed  of  our 
native  species,  growing  in  greater  or  less  profusion  over 
the  whole  of  the  country  included  between  Lower  Canada 
and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  It  often  reaches  80  feet  in 
height  in  fine  soils,  with  a  diameter  of  4  or  5  feet.  The 
leaves  are  alternate,  3  or  4  inches  long,  unequal  in  size 
at  the  base,  borne  on  petioles  half  an  inch  to  an  inch  in 
length,  oval,  acuminate,  and  doubly  denticulated.  The 
seeds  are  contained  in  a  flat,  oval,  winged  seed-vessel, 
fringed  with  small  hairs  on  the  margin.  The  flowers, 
of  a  dull  purple  color,  are  borne  in  small  bunches  on 
short  footstalks  at  the  end  of  the  branches,  and  appear 
very  early  in  the  spring.  This  tree  prefers  a  deep  rich 
soil,  and  grows  with  greater  luxuriance  if  it  be  rather 
moist,  often  reaching  in  such  situations  an  altitude  of 
nearly  100  feet.  It  is  found  in  the  greatest  perfection  in 
the  alluvial  soils  of  the  fertile  valleys  of  the  Connecticut, 
the  Mississippi,  and  the  Ohio  rivers. 

The  Red  or  Slippery  elm.     (U.  fuha.)    A  tree  of 


132 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


lower  size  than  the  White  elm,  attaining  generally  onlj 
40  or  50  feet.  According  to  Michaux,  it  may  be 
distinguished  from  the  latter  even  in  winter,  by  its  buds, 
which  are  larger  and  rounder,  and  which  are  covered  a 
fortnight  before  their  development  with  a  russet  down 
The  leaves  are  larger,  rougher,  and  thicker  than  those 
of  the  White  elm  ;  the  seed-vessels  larger,  destitute  of 
fringe ;  the  stamens  short,  and  of  a  pale  rose  color.  This 
tree  bears  a  strong  likeness  to  the  Dutch  elm,  and  the 
bark  abounds  in  mucilage,  whence  the  name  of  Slippery 
elm.  The  branches  are  less  drooping  than  those  of  the 
White  elm. 

The  Wahoo  elm  (U.  alata)  is  not  found  north  of 
Virginia.  It  may  at  once  be  known  in  every  stage  of 
its  growth  by  the  fungous  cork-like  substance  which 
lines  the  branches  on  both  sides.  It  is  a  very  singular 
and  curious  tree,  of  moderate  stature,  and  grows  rapidly 
and  well  when  cultivated  in  the  northern  states. 

The  common  European  elm.  (U.  cmnpestris.)  This 
is  the  most  commonly  cultivated  forest  tree  in  Europe, 
next  to  the  oak.  It  is  a  more  upright  growing  tree  than 
the  White  elm,  though  resembling  it  in  the  easy 
disposition  and  delicacy  of  its  branches.  The  flowers, 
of  a  purple  color,  are  produced  in  round  bunches  close 
to  the  stem.  The  leaves  are  rough,  doubly  serrated, 
and  much  more  finely  cut  than  those  of  our  elms.  It 
is  a  fine  tree,  60  or  70  feet  high,  growing  with  rapidity, 
and  is  easily  cultivated.  The  timber  is  more  valuable 
than  the  American  sort,  though  the  tree  is  inferior  to 
the  White  elm  in  beauty.  There  are  some  dozen  or 
more  fine  varieties  of  this  species  cultivated  in  the 
English  nurseries,  among  which  the  most  remarkable  are 


DECIDUOUS 


ORNAMENTAL 


TREES. 


the  Twisted  elm  (U.  c.  tortuosa),  the  trunk  of  which  is 
singularly  marked  with  hollows  and  protuberances,  and 
the  grain  of  the  wood  curiously  twisted  together  :  the 
Kidbrook  elm  (U.  c.  virens),  which  is  a  sub-evergreen  : 
the  Gold  and  Silver  striped  elms,  with  variegated  leaves, 
and  the  Narrow-leaved  elm  (U.  c.  viminalis) ,  which 
resembles  the  birch  :  the  Cork-barked  elm  (U.  c.  suberosa), 
the  young  branches  of  which  are  covered  with  cork,  etc. 

The  latter  is  one  of  the  hardiest  and  most  vigorous 
of  all  ornamental  trees  in  this  climate.  It  thrives  in 
almost  every  soil,  and  its  rich,  dark  foliage,  which  hangs 
late  in  autumn,  and  its  somewhat  picturesque  form, 
should  recommend  it  to  every  planter. 

The  Scotch  or  Wych  elm.  (£/".  montana)  This  is  a 
tree  of  lower  stature  than  the  common  European  elm, 
its  average  height  being  about  40  feet.  The  leaves  are 
broad,  rough,  pointed,  and  the  branches  extend  more 
horizontally,  drooping  at  the  extremities.  The  bark  on 
the  branches  is  comparatively  smooth.  It  is  a  grand  tree, 
"  the  head  is  so  finely  massed  and  yet  so  well  broken  as 
to  render  it  one  of  the  noblest  of  park  trees ;  and  when 
it  grows  wild  amid  the  rocky  scenery  of  its  native 
Scotland,  there  is  no  tree  which  assumes  so  great  or  so 
pleasing  a  variety  of  character."*  In  general  appearance, 
the  Scotch  elm  considerably  resembles  our  White  elm, 
and  it  is  a  very  rapid  grower.  Its  most  ornamental 
varieties  are  the  Spiry-topped  elm  (U.  m.  fastigiata), 
with  singularly  twisted  leaves,  and  a  very  upright  growth  : 
the  weeping  Scotch  elm  (U.  m.  pendula),  a  very 
remarkable  variety,  the  branches  of  which  droop  in  a 


*  Sir  Thos.  Lauder,  in  Gilpin,  1.  91. 


134 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


fan-like  manner  :  and  the  Smooth-leaved  Scotch  elm  (V 
m.  glabra). 

There  is  scarcely  any  soil  to  which  some  of  the 
different  elms  are  not  adapted.  The  European  species 
prefer  a  deep,  dry  soil ;  the  Scotch  or  Wych  elm  will 
thrive  well  even  in  very  rocky  places  ;  and  the  White 
elm  grows  readily  in  all  soils,  but  most  luxuriantly  in 
moist  places.  All  the  species  attain  their  maximum  size 
when  planted  in  a  deep  loam,  rather  moist  than  dry. 
They  bear  transplanting  remarkably  well,  suffering  but 
little  even  from  the  mistaken  practice  of  those  persons 
who  reduce  them  in  transplanting  to  the  condition  of 
bare  poles,  as  they  shoot  out  a  new  crop  of  branches, 
and  soon  become  beautiful  young  trees  in  spite  of  the 
mal-treatment.  As  the  elm  scarcely  produces  a  tap 
root,  even  large  trees  may  be  removed,  when  the 
operation  is  skilfully  performed.  In  such  cases,  the 
recently-removed  tree  should  be  carefully  and  plentifully 
supplied  with  water  until  it  is  well  established  in  its 
new  situation.  The  elm  is  also  easily  propagated  by 
seed,  layers,  or,  in  some  species,  by  suckers  from  the 
root. 


The  Plane  or  Buttonwood  Tree.  Platanus. 
Nat.  Ord.  Platanaceae.  Lin.  Syst.  Moncecia,  Polyandria. 

The  plane,  Platanus  derives  its  name  from  tfkwrug, 
broad,  on  account  of  the  broad,  umbrageous  nature  of  its 
branches.    It  is  a  well  known  tree  of  the  very  largest 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL   TREES.  135 

size,  common  to  both  hemispheres,  and  greatly  prized 
tor  the  fine  shade  afforded  by  its  spreading  head,  in 
the  warmer  parts  of  Europe  and  Asia.  No  tree  was  in 
greater  esteem  with  the  ancients  for  this  purpose  ;  and 
we  are  told  that  the  Academic  groves,  the  neighborhood 
of  the  public  schools,  and  all  those  favorite  avenues  where 
the  Grecian  philosophers  were  accustomed  to  resort,  were 
planted  with  these  trees  ;  and  beneath  their  shade 
Aristotle,  Plato,  and  Socrates,  delivered  the  choicest 
wisdom  and  eloquence  of  those  classic  days.  The 
Eastern  plane  (Platanus  orientalis)  was  first  brought 
to  the  Roman  provinces  from  Persia,  and  so  highly  was 
it  esteemed  that  according  to  Pliny,  the  Morini  paid  a 
tribute  to  Rome  for  the  privilege  of  enjoying  its  shade. 
To  that  author  we  are  also  indebted  for  the  history  of  the 
great  plane  tree  that  grew  in  the  province  of  Lycia, 
which  was  of  so  huge  a  size,  that  the  governor  of  the 
province,  Licinius  Mutianus,  together  with  eighteen  of 
his  retinue,  feasted  in  the  hollow  of  its  trunk. 

In  the  United  States,  the  plane  is  not  generally  found 
growing  in  great  quantities  in  any  one  place,  but  is  more 
or  less  scattered  over  the  whole  country.  In  deep,  moist, 
alluvial  soils,  it  attains  a  size  scarcely,  if  at  all,  inferior  to 
that  of  the  huge  trees  of  the  eastern  continent ;  forming 
at  least,  in  the  body  of  its  trunk,  a  larger  circumference 
than  any  other  of  our  native  trees.  The  younger 
Michaux  (Sylva,  1,  325)  measured  a  tree  near  Marietta, 
Ohio,  which  at  four  feet  from  the  ground  was  found  to  be 
forty-seven  feet  in  circumference  ;  and  a  specimen  has 
lately  been  cut  on  the  banks  of  the  Genesee  river,  of  such 
enormous  size,  that  a  section  of  the  trunk  was  hollowed 
out  and  furnished  as  a  small  room,  capable  of  containing 


13G 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


fourteen  persons.*  On  the  margins  of  the  great  western 
rivers  it  sometimes  rises  up  seventy  feet,  and  then  expands 
into  a  fine,  lofty  head,  surpassing  in  grandeur  all  its 
neighbors  of  the  forest.  The  large  branches  of  the  plane 
shoot  out  in  a  horizontal  direction ;  the  trunk  generally 
ascending  in  a  regular,  stately,  and  uninterrupted  manner 
The  blossoms  are  small  greenish  balls  appearing  in  spring, 
and  the  fertile  ones  grow  to  an  inch  in  diameter,  assuming 
a  deep  brownish  color,  and  hang  upon  the  tree  during  the 
whole  winter.  A  striking  and  peculiar  characteristic  of 
the  plane,  is  its  property  of  throwing  off  or  shedding 
continually  the  other  coating  of  bark  here  and  there  in 
patches.  Professor  Lindley  {Introduction  to  the  Natural 
System,  2d  ed.  187)  says  this  is  owing  to  its  deficiency 
in  the  expansive  power  of  the  fibre  common  to  the  bark 
of  other  trees,  or,  in  other  words,  to  the  rigidity  of  its 
tissue  :  being  therefore  incapable  of  stretching  with  the 
growth  of  the  tree,  it  bursts  open  on  different  parts  of  the 
trunk,  and  is  cast  off.  This  gives  the  trunk  quite  a  lively 
and  picturesque  look,  extending  more  or  less  even  to  the 
extremity  of  the  branches  ;  and  makes  this  tree  quite 
conspicuous  in  winter.  Bryant,  in  his  address  to  Green 
River,  says  : 

"  Clear  are  the  depths  where  its  eddies  play, 
And  dimples  deepen  and  whirl  away, 
And  the  plane  tree's  speckled  arms  o'ershoot 
The  swifter  current  that  mines  its  root." 

The  great  merit  of  the  plane,  or  buttonwood,  is  its 

*  A  buttonwood  on  the  Montezuma  estate,  Jefferson,  Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y., 
is  forty-seven  and  a  half  feet  in  circumference ;  and  the  diameter  of  the 
hollow  two  feet  from  the  ground,  is  fifteen  feet.  (iV.  Y.  Med.  liepository, 
IV.  427.; 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


137 


extreme  vigor  and  luxuriance  of  growth.  In  a  good  soil  it 
will  readily  reach  a  height  of  thirty-five  or  forty  feet  in  ten 
years.  It  is  easily  transplanted  ;  and  in  new  residences, 
bare  of  trees,  where  an  effect  is  desired  speedily,  we  know 
of  nothing  better  adapted  quickly  to  produce  abundance 
of  foliage,  shelter,  and  shade.  When  the  requisite  foliage 
is  obtained,  and  other  trees  of  slower  growth  have  reached 
a  proper  size,  the  former  may  be  thinned  out.  As  the 
plane  tree  grows  to  the  largest  size,  it  is  only  proper  for 
situations  where  there  is  considerable  ground,  and  where 
it  can  without  inconvenience  to  its  fellows  have  ample 
room  for  its  full  development.  Then  soaring  up,  and 
extending  its  wide-spread  branches  on  every  side,  it  is 
certainly  a  very  majestic  tree.  The  color  of  the  foliage 
is  of  a  paler  green  than  is  usual  in  forest  trees ;  and 
although  of  large  size,  is  easily  wafted  to  and  fro  by  the 
wind,  thereby  producing  an  agreeable  diversity  of  light 
pleasing  to  the  eye  in  summer.  In  winter  the  branches 
are  beautifully  hung,  even  to  their  furthest  ends,  with  the 
numerous  round  russet-balls,  or  seed-vessels,  each  sus- 
pended by  a  slender  cord,  and  swinging  about  in  the  air. 
The  outline  of  the  head  is  pleasingly  irregular,  and  its 
foliage  against  a  sky  outline  is  bold  and  picturesque.  It 
is  not  a  tree  to  be  planted  in  thick  groves  by  itself,  but 
to  stand  alone  and  detached,  or  in  a  group  with  two  or 
three.  In  avenues  it  is  often  happily  employed,  and 
produces  a  grand  effect.  It  also  grows  with  great  vigor 
in  close  cities,  as  some  superb  specimens  in  the  square 
of  the  State-house,  Pennsylvania  Hospital,  and  other 
places  in  Philadelphia  fully  attest. 

There  is  but  a  trifling  difference  in  general  effect  between 


138 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


our  plane  or  buttonwood  and  the  Oriental  plane.  For  the 
purposes  of  shade  and  shelter,  the  American  is  the  finest, 
as  its  foliage  is  the  longest  and  broadest.  The  Oriental 
plane  (Platanus  orientalis)  has  the  leaves  lobed  like  our 
native  kind  (P.  Occident  alls),  but  the  segments  are  much 
more  deeply  cut ;  the  footstalks  of  its  leaves  are  green, 
while  those  of  the  American  are  of  a  reddish  hue,  and  the 
fruit  or  ball  is  much  smaller  and  rougher  on  the  outer  sur- 
face when  fully  grown.  Both  species  are  common  in  the 
nurseries,  and  are  worthy  the  attention  of  the  planter  ;  the 
Oriental,  as  well  for  the  interesting  associations  connected 
with  it,  being  the  favorite  shade-tree  of  the  east,  etc.,  as  for 
its  intrinsic  merits  as  a  lofty  and  majestic  tree. 

Two  of  the  varieties  of  P.  occidentalis  are  sometimes  cul- 
tivated, the  chief  of  which  is  the  Maple-leaved  plane  (P.  O. 
acerifolia). 


The  Ash  Tree.  Fraxinus. 
Nat.  Ord.    Oleaceae.  Lin.  Syst.    Polygamia,  Dioecia. 

The  name  of  the  ash,  one  of  the  finest  and  most  useful 
of  forest  trees,  is  probably  derived  from  the  Celtic  asc, 
a  pike — as  its  wood  was  formerly  in  common  use  for 
spears  and  other  weapons.  Homer  informs  us  that  Achilles 
was  slain  with  an  ashen  spear.  In  modern  times  the  wood 
is  in  universal  use  for  the  various  implements  of  husbandry, 
for  the  different  purposes  of  the  wheelwright  and  carriage- 
maker,  and  in  short  for  all  purposes  where  great  strength 
and  elasticity  are  required ;  for  in  these  qualities  the  ash  is 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


139 


second  to  no  tree  in  the  forest,  the  hickory  alone  excepted. 
The  ash  is  a  large  and  lofty  tree,  growing,  when  surrounded 
by  other  trees,  sixty  or  seventy  feet  high,  and  three  or  more 
in  diameter.  When  exposed  on  all  sides  it  forms  a  beau- 
tiful, round,  compact  head  of  loose,  pinnated,  light  green 
foliage,  and  is  one  of  the  most  vigorous  growers  among  the 
hard-wooded  trees.  The  American  species  of  ash  are 
found  in  the  greatest  luxuriance  and  beauty  on  the  banks 
and  margins  of  rivers  where  the  soil  is  partially  dry,  yet 
where  the  roots  can  easily  penetrate  down  to  the  moisture. 
The  European  ash  is  remarkable  for  its  hardy  nature,  being 
often  found  in  great  vigor  on  steep  rocky  hills,  and  amid 
crevices  where  most  other  trees  flourish  badly.  Southey 
alludes  to  this  in  the  following  lines  : — 

"  Grey  as  the  stone  to  which  it  clung,  half  root, 
Half  trunk,  the  young  ash  rises  from  the  rock." 

As  the  ash  grows  strongly,  and  the  roots,  which  extend 
to  a  great  distance,  ramify  near  the  surface,  it  exhausts  the 
soil  underneath  and  around  it  to  an  astonishing  degree. 
For  this  reason  the  grass  is  generally  seen  in  a  very  meagre 
and  starved  condition  in  a  lawn  where  the  ash  tree  abounds. 
Here  and  there  a  single  tree  of  the  ash  will  have  an  excel- 
lent effect,  seen  from  the  windows  of  the  house ;  but  we 
would  chiefly  employ  it  for  the  grand  masses,  and  to  inter- 
mingle with  other  large  groups  of  trees  in  an  extensive 
plantation.  When  the  ash  is  young  it  forms  a  well  rounded 
head ;  but  when  older  the  lower  branches  bend  towards 
the  ground,  and  then  slightly  turn  up  in  a  very  graceful 
manner.  We  take  pleasure  in  quoting  what  that  great 
lover  and  accurate  delineator  of  forest  beauties,  Mr.  Gilpin, 
Bays  of  the  ash.    "  The  ash  generally  carries  its  principal 


140 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


stem  higher  than  the  oak,  and  rises  in  an  easy  flowing  line. 
But  its  chief  beauty  consists  in  the  lightness  of  its  whole 
appearance.  Its  branches  at  first  keep  close  to  the  trunk 
and  form  acute  angles  with  it ;  but  as  they  begin  to  lengthen 
they  generally  take  an  easy  sweep,  and  the  looseness  of  the 
leaves  corresponding  with  the  lightness  of  the  spray,  the 
whole  forms  an  elegant  depending  foliage.  Nothing  can 
have  a  better  effect  than  an  old  ash  hanging  from  the  cornel 
of  a  wood,  and  bringing  off  the  heaviness  of  the  othei 
foliage  with  its  loose  pendent  branches." — {Forest  Scenery, 
p.  82.) 

The  highest  and  most  characteristic  beauty  of  the  Ame 
rican  White  ash  (and  we  consider  it  the  finest  of  all  the 
species)  is  the  coloring  which  its  leaves  put  on  in  autumn. 
Gilpin  complains  that  the  leaf  of  the  European  ash  "  decays 
in  a  dark,  muddy,  unpleasing  tint."  Not  so  the  White  ash. 
In  an  American  wood,  such  as  often  lines  and  overhangs 
the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  the  Connecticut,  and  many  of 
our  noble  northern  streams,  the  ash  assumes  peculiar  beauty 
in  autumn,  when  it  can  often  be  distinguished  from  the 
surrounding  trees  for  four  or  five  miles,  by  the  peculiar  and 
beautiful  deep  brownish  purple  of  its  fine  mass  of  foliage. 
This  color,  though  not  lively,  is  so  full  and  rich  as  to  pro- 
duce the  most  pleasing  harmony  with  the  bright  yellows 
and  reds  of  the  other  deciduous  trees,  and  the  deep  green 
of  the  pines  and  cedars. 

The  ash,  unlike  the  elm,  starts  into  vegetation  late  in  the 
spring,  which  is  an  objection  to  planting  it  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  the  house.  In  winter  the  long  greyish  white  or 
ash-colored  branches  are  pleasing  in  tint,  compared  witn 
those  of  other  deciduous  trees. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


141 


The  White  ash.  (Fraxinus  Americana  )  This  species, 
according  to  Michaux,  is  common  to  the  colder  parts  of  the 
Union,  and  is  most  abundant  north  of  the  Hudson.  It 
owes  its  name  to  the  light  color  of  the  bark,  which  on  large 
stocks  is  deeply  furrowed,  and  divided  into  squares  of  one 
to  three  inches  in  diameter.  The  trunk  is  perfectly  straight, 
and  in  close  woods  is  often  undivided  to  the  height  of  more 
than  40  feet.  The  leaves  are  composed  of  three  or  four 
pairs  of  leaflets,  terminated  by  an  odd  one ;  the  whole 
twelve  or  fourteen  inches  long.  Early  in  spring  they  are 
covered  with  a  light  down  which  disappears  as  summer 
advances,  when  they  become  quite  smooth,  of  a  light  green 
color  above  and  whitish  beneath.  The  foliage,  as  well  as 
the  timber  of  our  White  ash,  is  finer  than  that  of  the  com- 
mon European  ash,  and  the  tree  is  much  prized  in  France 
and  Germany. 

The  Black  ash  (F.  sambucifolia),  sometimes  called  the 
W ater  ash,  requires  a  moist  soil  to  thrive  well,  and  is  seen 
in  the  greatest  perfection  on  the  borders  of  swamps.  Its 
buds  are  of  a  deep  blue  ;  the  young  shoots  of  a  bright  green, 
sprinkled  with  dots  of  the  same  color,  which  disappear  as 
the  season  advances.  It  may  readily  be  distinguished  from 
the  White  ash  by  its  bark,  which  is  of  a  duller  hue  and  less 
deeply  furrowed.  The  Black  ash  is  altogether  a  tree  of 
less  stature  than  the  preceding. 

The  other  native  sorts  are  the  Red  ash  (F.  tomentosa), 
with  the  bark  of  a  deep  brown  tint,  found  in  Pennsylvania : 
the  Green  ash  (F.  viridis),  which  also  grows  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  is  remarkable  for  the  brilliant  green  of  both  sides 
of  the  leaves  :  the  Blue  ash  (F.  Quadrangulata),  a  beauti- 
ful tree  of  Kentucky,  70  feet  high,  distinguished  by  the  four 
opposite  membranes  of  a  greenish  color,  found  on  the  young 


142 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


shoots :  and  the  Carolina  ash  (F.  platycarpa),  a  small  tree 
the  leaves  of  which  are  covered  with  a  thick  down  in 
spring. 

The  common  European  ash  (F.  excelsior)  strongly  re- 
sembles the  White  ash.  It  may,  however,  easily  be  known 
by  its  very  black  buds,  and  longer,  more  serrated  leaflets 
which  are  sessile,  instead  of  being  furnished  with  petioles 
like  the  White  ash.  This  fine  tree,  as  well  as  the  White 
ash,  grows  to  80  or  90  feet  in  height,  with  a  very  handsome 
head. 

The  Weeping  ash,  Fig.  31,  is  a  very  remarkable  variety 


fFig.  31.   The  Weeping  Ash.] 


of  the  European  ash,  with  pendulous  or  weeping  branches  ; 
and  is  worthy  a  place  in  every  lawn  for  its  curious  ramifi- 
cation, as  well  as  for  its  general  beauty.  It  is  generally 
propagated  by  grafting  on  any  common  stock,  as  the  White 
ash,  7  or  8  feet  high,  when  the  branches  immediately  begin 
to  turn  down  in  a  very  striking  and  peculiar  manner.  The 
droop  of  the  branches  is  hardly  a  graceful  one,  yet  it  is  so 


7  ^  Fig!  32  -The  European  Linden,  at  Presqu-ile,  the  ltesidcnce  of  Mrs.  Denning. 


Age  44  years.  Height  57  feet. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


143 


unique,  either  when  leafless,  or  in  full  foliage,  that  it  has 
long  been  one  of  our  greatest  favorites. 

The  Flowering  ash  (Fraxinus  Ornus*)  is  a  small  tree  of 
about  20  feet,  growing  plentifully  in  the  south  of  Europe, 
and  is  also  found  sparingly  in  this  country.  Its  chief  beauty 
lies  in  the  beautiful  clusters  of  pale  or  greenish- white  flow- 
ers, borne  on  the  terminal  branches  in  May  and  June.  The 
foliage  and  general  appearance  of  the  tree  are  much  like 
those  of  the  common  ash  ;  but  when  in  blossom  it  resembles 
a  good  deal  the  Carolina  Fringe  tree.  In  Italy  a  gummy 
substance  called  manna  exudes  from  the  bark,  which  is 
used  in  medicine. 


The  Lime  or  Linden  Tree.  Tilia. 

Nat.  Oi'iL    Tilaceae.  Lin.  Syst.    Polyandria,  Monogynia. 

This  tree,  or  rather  the  American  sort,  is  well  known 
among  us  by  the  name  of  basswood.  It  is  a  rapidly  grow- 
ing, handsome,  upright,  and  regularly  shaped  tree  ;  and  all 
the  species  are  much  esteemed,  both  in  Europe  and  this 
country,  for  planting  in  avenues  and  straight  lines,  wherever 
the  taste  is  in  favor  of  geometric  plantations.  In  Germany 
and  Holland  it  is  a  great  favorite  for  bordering  their  wide 
and  handsome  streets,  and  lining  their  long  and  straight 
canals.  "  In  Berlin,"  Granville  says  in  his  travels,  "  there 
is  a  celebrated  street  called  '  unter  der  Linden,'  (under  the 
lime  trees,)  a  gay  and  splendid  avenue,  planted  with  double 

*  Ornus  Europaus  of  Persoon,  and  the  European  botanists.  Beck  remarks 
that  the  American  kind  is  so  little  known,  that  it  is  difficult  to  determinQ 
whether  it  is  a  different  species  or  only  a  mere  variety  of  the  European. 


144 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


rows  of  this  tree,  which  presented  to  my  view  a  scene  far 
more  beautiful  than  I  had  hitherto  witnessed  in  any  town, 
either  in  France,  Flanders,  or  Germany."  In  this  country 
the  European  lime  is  also  much  planted  in  our  cities ;  and 
some  avenues  of  it  may  be  seen  in  Philadelphia,  particu- 
larly before  the  State-house  in  Chestnut-street.  The  bass- 
wood  is  a  very  abundant  tree  in  some  parts  of  the  middle 
states,  and  is  seen  growing  in  great  profusion,  forming  thick 
woods  by  itself  in  the  interior  of  this  state.  With  us  the 
wood  is  considered  too  soft  to  be  of  much  value,  but  in 
England  it  was  formerly  in  high  repute  as  an  excellent 
material  for  the  use  of  carvers.  Some  very  beautiful 
specimens  of  old  carving  in  lime  wood  may  be  seen  in 
Windsor  Castle  and  Trinity  College.*  The  Russian  bass 
mats,  which  find  their  way  to  every  commercial  country, 
are  prepared  from  the  inner  bark  of  this  tree.  The  sap 
affords  a  sugar  like  the  maple,  although  in  less  quantities ; 
and  it  is  stated  in  the  Encyclopaedia  of  Plants  (p.  467)  "  that 
the  honey  made  from  the  flowers  of  the  lime  tree  is  reckoned 
the  finest  in  the  world.  Near  Knowno,  in  Lithuania,  there 
are  large  forests  chiefly  of  this  tree,  and  probably  a  distinct 
variety.  The  honey  produced  in  these  forests  sells  at  more 
than  double  the  price  of  any  other,  and  is  used  extensively 
in  medicine  and  for  liqueurs." 

*  The  art  of  carving  in  wood,  brought  to  such  perfection  by  Gibbons,  is  now, 
we  believe,  much  given  up  ;  therefore  the  lime  has  lost  a  most  important  branch 
of  its  usefulness.  Perhaps  the  finest  specimens  of  the  works  of  Gibbons  are  to 
be  seen  at  Chatsworth,  the  seat  of  the  Duke  of  Devonshire,  in  Derbyshire.  The 
execution  of  the  flowers,  fish,  game,  nets,  etc.,  on  the  panelling  of  the  walls  is 
quite  wonderful.  It  was  of  him  that  Walpole  justly  said, '  that  he  was  the  first 
artist  who  gave  to  wood  the  loose  and  airy  lightness  of  flowers,  and  chained 
together  the  various  productions  of  the  elements,  with  a  free  disorder  natural  to 
each  species.'  The  lime  tree  is  still,  however,  used  by  the  carver,  and  we  hope 
that  the  art  of  wood  carving  may  gradually  be  restored." — Sir  T.  D.  Lander 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


145 


The  leaves  of  the  lime  are  large  and  handsome,  heart- 
shaped  in  form,  and  pleasing  in  color.  The  flowers,  which 
open  in  June,  hang  in  loose,  pale  yellow  cymes  or  clusters, 
are  quite  ornamental  and  very  fragrant. 

 Sometimes 

A  scent  of  violets  and  blossoming  limes 
Loitered  around  us ;  then  of  honey  cells, 
Made  delicate  from  all  white  flower  bells. 

Keats. 

It  was  a  favorite  tree  in  the  ancient  style  of  gardening, 
as  it  bore  the  shears  well,  and  was  readily  dipt  into  all 
manner  of  curious  and  fantastic  shapes.  When  planted 
singly  on  a  lawn,  and  allowed  to  develope  itself  fully  on 
every  side,  the  linden  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  trees. 
Its  head  then  forms  a  fine  pyramid  of  verdure,  while  its 
lower  branches  sweep  the  ground  and  curve  upwards  in  the 
most  pleasing  form.  For  this  reason,  though  the  linden  is 
not  a  picturesque  tree,  it  is  very  happily  adapted  for  the 
graceful  landscape,  as  its  whole  contour  is  full,  flowing,  and 
agreeable.  The  pleasant  odor  of  its  flowers  is  an  addi- 
tional recommendation,  as  well  as  its  free  growth  and 
handsome  leaves.  Were  it  not  that  of  late  it  is  so  liable  to 
insects,  we  could  hardly  say  too  much  in  its  praise  as  a  fine 
ornament  for  streets  and  public  parks.  There,  its  regular 
form  corresponds  well  with  the  formality  of  the  architecture; 
its  shade  affords  cool  and  pleasant  walks,  and  the  delightful 
odor  of  its  blossoms  is  doubly  grateful  in  the  confined  air 
of  the  city.  Our  basswood  has  rather  less  of  uniformity  in 
its  outline  than  the  European  lindens,  but  the  general  form 
is  the  same. 

The  American  lime,  or  basswood  (Tilia  Americana),  is 

the  most  robust  tree  of  the  genus,  and  produces  much 

10 


146 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


more  vigorous  shoots  than  the  European  species.  It 
prefers  a  deep  and  fertile  soil,  where  the  trunk  grows 
remarkably  straight,  and  the  branches  form  a  handsome, 
well-rounded  summit.  The  flowers  are  borne  on  long 
stalks,  and  are  pendulous  from  the  branches.  The  leaves 
are  large,  heart-shaped,  finely  cut  on  the  margin,  and 
terminated  by  a  point  at  the  extremity.  The  seeds, 
which  ripen  in  autumn,  are  like  small  peas,  round  and 
greyish. 

The  white  lime  (T.  alba)  is  rare  in  the  eastern  states, 
but  common  in  Pennsylvania  and  the  states  south  of  it. 
It  is  not  a  tree t of  the  largest  size,  but  its  flowers  are  the 
finest  of  our  native  sorts.  The  leaves  are  also  very  large, 
deep  green  on  the  upper  surface,  and  white  below ;  they 
are  more  obliquely  heart-shaped  than  those  of  the  common 
basswood.  The  young  branches  are  covered  with  a 
smooth  silvery  bark.  This  species  is  very  common  on 
the  Susquehannah  river. 

The  Downy  lime  tree.  (T.  pubescens.)  The  under 
side  of  the  leaves,  and  the  fruits  of  this  species,  are,  as  its 
name  denotes,  covered  with  a  short  down.  Its  flowers 
are  nearly  white ;  the  serratures  of  the  leaves  wider 
apart,  and  the  base  of  the  leaf  obliquely  truncated.  It  is 
a  handsome  large  tree,  a  native  of  Florida,  though  hardy 
enough,  as  experience  proves,  to  bear  our  northern 
winters. 

The  European  lime  (T.  Europ&a)  is  distinguished 
from  the  American  sorts,  by  its  smaller  and  more 
regularly  cordate  and  rounded  leaves.  Unlike  our 
native  species,  the  flowers  are  not  furnished  with  inner 
scale-like  petals.  The  foliage  is  rather  deeper  in  hue 
than  the  native  sorts,  and  the  branches  of  the  head  rathei 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


more  regular  in  form  and  disposition.  There  are  two 
pretty  varieties  of  the  English  lime  which  are  well  known 
in  this  country,  viz.  the  Red-barked,  or  corallina  (var. 
rubra),  with  red  branches  ;  and  the  Golden-barked  (var. 
aurea),  with  handsome  yellow  branches.  These  trees 
are  peculiarly  beautiful  in  winter,  when  a  few  of  them 
mingled  with  other  deciduous  trees  make  a  pleasing 
variety  of  coloring  in  the  absence  of  foliage.  The  broad- 
leaved  European  lime  is  the  finest  for  shade  and 
ornament.  The  whitish  foliage  of  Tilia  alba,  which 
probably  is  also  a  variety,  has  a  beautiful  appearance, 
somewhat  like  the  Abele  tree,  in  a  gentle  breeze. 

These  trees  grow  well  on  any  good  friable  soil,  and 
readily  endure  transplantation.  They  bear  trimming 
remarkably  well ;  and  when  but  little  root  is  obtained  the 
head  may  be  shortened  in  proportion,  and  the  tree  will 
soon  make  vigorous  shoots  again.  All  the  species  are 
easily  increased  by  layers. 


The  Beech  Tree.  Fagus. 

Nat.  Orel.  Corylaceae.    Lin.  Syst.  Monoecia,  Polyandria. 

The  Beech  is  a  large,  compact,  and  lofty  tree,  with  a 
greyish  bark  and  finely  divided  spray,  and  is  a  common 
inhabitant  of  the  forest  in  all  temperate  climates.  In  the 
United  States,  this  tree  is  generally  found  congregated  in 
very  great  quantities,  wherever  the  soil  is  most  favorable ; 
hundreds  of  acres  being  sometimes  covered  with  this 
single  kind  of  timber.    Such  tracts  are  familiarly  known 


us 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


as  "beech  woods."  The  leaves  of  the  beeca  are 
remarkably  thin  in  texture,  glazed  and  shining  on  the 
upper  surface,  and  so  thickly  set  upon  the  numerous 
branches,  that  it  forms  the  darkest  and  densest  shade  of 
any  of  our  deciduous  forest  trees.  It  appears  to  have 
been  highly  valued  by  the  ancients  as  a  shade  tree  ;  and 
Virgil  says  in  its  praise,  in  a  well-known  Eclogue : 

"  Tityre,  tu  patulse  recubans  sub  tegmine  fagi, 
Sylvestrem  tenui  musam  meditaris  avena." 

It  bears  a  small  compressed  nut  or  mast,  oily  and  sweet, 
which  once  was  much  valued  as  an  article  of  food.  The 
most  useful  purpose  to  which  we  have  heard  of  their  being 
applied,,  is  in  the  manufacture  of  an  oil,  scarcely  inferior 
to  olive  oil.  This  is  produced  from  the  mast  of  the  beech 
forests  in  the  department  of  Oise,  France,  in  immense 
quantities ;  more  than  a  million  of  sacks  of  the  nuts 
having  been  collected  in  that  department  in  a  single 
season.  They  are  reduced,  when  perfectly  ripe,  to  a  fine 
paste,  and  the  oil  is  extracted  by  gradual  pressure.  The 
product  of  oil,  compared  with  the  crushed  nuts,  is  about 
sixteen  per  cent.    (Michaux,  N.  American  Sylva) 

In  Europe,  the  wood  of  the  beech  is  much  used  in  the 
manufacture  of  various  utensils ;  but  here,  where  our 
forests  abound  in  woods  vastly  superior  in  strength, 
durability,  and  firmness,  that  of  the  beech  is  comparatively 
little  esteemed. 

The  beech  is  quite  handsome  and  graceful  when  young, 
and  when  large  it  forms  one  of  the  heaviest  and  grandest 
of  beautiful  park  trees.  From  this  massy  quality,  how- 
ever, it  is  excellently  adapted  to  mingle  with  other  trees 
when  a  thick  anc  impenetrable  mass  of  foliage  is  desired  ; 


DECIDUOUS    ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


149 


and,  on  account  of  its  density,  it  is  also  well  suited  to  shut 
out  unsightly  buildings,  or  other  objects. 

The  leaves  of  many  beech  trees  hang  on  the  tree,  in  a 
dry  and  withered  state,  during  the  whole  winter.  This  ;s 
chiefly  the  case  with  young  trees  ;  but  we  consider  it  as 
greatly  diminishing  its  beauty  at  that  season,  as  the  tree  is 
otherwise  very  pleasing  to  the  eye,  with  its  smooth,  round, 
grey  stem,  and  small  twisted  spray.  A  deciduous  tree,  we 
think,  should  as  certainly  drop  its  leaves  at  the  approach 
of  cold  weather,  as  an  evergreen  should  retain  them  ;  more 
especially  if  its  leaves  have  a  dead  and  withered  appearance, 
as  is  the  case  with  those  of  the  beech  in  this  climate. 

The  White  beech  (Fagus  Sylvatica)  is  the  common 
beech  tree  of  the  middle  and  western  states.  It  is  found  in 
the  greatest  perfection  in  a  cool  situation  and  a  moist  soil. 
The  bark  is  smooth  and  grey,  even  upon  the  oldest  stocks. 
The  leaves  oval,  smooth,  and  shining,  coarsely  cut  on  the 
edges,  and  margined  with  a  soft  down  in  the  spring. 

The  Red  beech  (F.  ferruginea),  so  called  on  account  of 
the  color  ©f  its  wood,  loves  a  still  colder  climate  than  the 
other,  and  is  found  in  the  greatest  perfection  in  British 
America.  The  leaves  are  divided  into  coarser  teeth  on 
the  margin  than  the  foregoing  species.  The  nuts  are  much 
smaller,  and  the  whole  tree  forms  a  lower  and  more  spread- 
ing head. 

The  European  beech  (F.  sylvatica)  is  thought  by  many 
botanists  to  be  the  same  species  as  our  white  beech,  or  at 
most  only  a  variety.  Its  average  height  in  Europe  is 
about  fifty  feet ;  the  buds  are  shorter,  and  the  leaves  not  so 
coarsely  toothed  as  our  native  sorts.  The  Purple  beech  is 
a  very  ornamental  variety  of  the  European  beech,  common 


150 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


in  .fie  gardens.  Both  surfaces  of  the  leaves,  and  even  the 
yoong  shoots,  are  deep  purple  ;  and  although  the  growth  is 
slow,  yet  it  is  in  every  stage  of  its  progress,  and  more  par 
ticularly  when  it  reaches  a  good  size,  one  of  the  strangest 
anomalies  among  trees,  in  the  hue  of  its  foliage.  There  is 
also  a  variety  called  the  copper-colored  beech,  with  paler 
purple  leaves  ;*  and  a  more  rare  English  variety  {F.  s.pen- 
dula),  the  Weeping  beech,  with  graceful  pendent  branches 

The  Hornbeam  (Carpinus  Americana),  and  the  Iron- 
wood  (Ostrya  Virginica),  are  both  wrell  known  small  trees, 
belonging  to  the  same  natural  family  as  the  beech.  They 
are  of  little  value  in  ornamental  plantations  ;  but  from  their 
thick  foliage,  they  might  perhaps  be  employed  to  advantage 
in  making  thick  verdant  screens  for  shelter  or  concealment. 


The  Poplar  Tree.  Populus. 

Nat.  Ord.    6aiicaceae.  Lin.  Syst.    Dicecia,  Oetandria. 

Arbor  Populi,  or  the  people's  tree,  was  the  name  given 
in  the  ancient  days  of  Rome  to  this  tree,  as  being  peculiarly 
appropriated  to  those  public  places  most  frequented  by  the 
people :  some  ingenious  authors  have  still  further  justified 
the  propriety  of  the  name,  by  adding,  that  its  trembling 
leaves  are  like  the  populace,  always  in  motion. 

The  poplars  are  light- wooded,  rapid-growing  trees  ;  many 

*  The  finest  Copper  Beech  in  America  is  growing  in  the  grounds  of  Thomas 
Ash,  Esq.,  Throgs  Neck,  Westchester  Co.,  N.  Y.  It  is  more  than  fifty  feel 
Ugh,  with  a  broad  and  finely  formed  head. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


151 


of  them  of  huge  size,  and  all  with  pointed,  heart-shaped 
leaves.  The  tassel-like  catkins,  or  male  blossoms,  of  a  red 
or  brownish  hue,  appear  early  in  the  spring.  Some  of  the 
American  kinds,  as  the  Balsam  and  Balm  of  Gilead  poplars, 
have  their  buds  enveloped  in  a  fragrant  gum ;  others,  as 
the  Silver  poplar,  or  Abele,  are  remarkable  for  the  snowy 
whiteness  of  the  under  side  of  the  foliage  ;  and  the  Lorn 
bardy  poplar,  which 

"  Shoots  up  its  spire,  and  shakes  its  leaves  in  the  sun," 

Proctor. 

for  its  remarkably  conical  or  spire-like  manner  of  growth. 
The  leaves  of  all  the  species,  being  suspended  upon  long 
and  slender  footstalks,  are  easily  put  in  motion  by  the  wind. 
This,  however,  is  peculiarly  the  case  with  the  aspen,  the 
leaves  of  which  may  often  be  seen  trembling  in  the  slightest 
breeze,  when  the  foliage  of  the  surrounding  trees  is  motion- 
less. There  is  a  popular  legend  in  Scotland  respecting 
this  tree,  which  runs  thus  : 

"  Far  ofl  in  the  Highland  wilds  'tis  said 
(But  truth  now  laughs  at  fancy's  lore), 

That  of  this  tree  the  cross  was  made, 
Which  erst  the  Lord  of  Glory  bore  ; 

And  of  that  deed  its  leaves  confess, 
E'er  since,  a  troubled  consciousness." 

In  Landscape  Gardening  the  poplar  is  not  highly  esteemed ; 
but  it  is  a  valuable  tree  when  judiciously  employed,  and 
produces  a  given  quantity  of  foliage  and  shade  sooner 
perhaps  than  any  other.  Some  of  the  American  kinds  are 
majestic  and  superb  trees  when  old,  particularly  the  Cotton- 
wood and  Balsam  poplars.  One  of  the  handsomest  sorts 
is  the  Silver  poplar.  At  some  distance,  the  down}7  under 
surfaces  of  the  leaves,  turned  up  by  the  wind,  give  it  very 


152 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


much  the  aspect  of  a  tree  covered  with  white  blossoms. 
This  effect  is  the  more  striking,  when  it  is  situated  in  front 
of  a  group  or  mass  of  the  darker  foliage  of  other  trees. 
It  is  valuable  for  retaining  its  leaves  in  full  beauty  to  the 
latest  possible  period  in  the  autumn.  Its  growth  is  very 
rapid,  forming  a  fine  rounded  head  of  thirty  feet  in 
height,  in  six  or  eight  years. 

The  Lombardy  poplar  is  a  beautiful  tree,  and  in  certain 
situations  produces  a  very  elegant  effect ;  but  it  has  been 
planted  so  indiscriminately,  in  some  parts  of  this  country, 
in  close  monotonous  lines  before  the  very  doors  of  our 
houses,  and  in  many  places  in  straight  rows  along  the  high- 
ways for  miles  together,  to  the  neglect  of  our  fine  native 
trees,  that  it  has  been  tiresome  and  disgusting.  This  tree 
may,  however,  be  employed  with  singular  advantage  in 
giving  life,  spirit,  and  variety  to  a  scene  composed  entirely 
of  round-headed  trees,  as  the  oak,  ash,  etc., — when  a  tall 
poplar,  emerging  here  and  there  from  the  back  or  centre 
of  the  group,  often  imparts  an  air  of  elegance  and  animation 
to  the  whole.  It  may,  also,  from  its  marked  and  striking 
contrast  to  other  trees,  be  employed  to  fix  or  direct  the 
attention  to  some  particular  point  in  the  landscape.  When 
large  poplars  of  this  kind  are  growing  near  a  house  of  but 
moderate  dimensions,  they  have  a  very  bad  effect  by  com- 
pletely overpowering  the  building,  without  imparting  any 
of  that  grandeur  of  character  conferred  by  an  old  oak,  or 
other  spreading  tree.  It  should  be  introduced  but  sparingly 
in  landscape  composition,  as  the  moment  it  is  made  com- 
mon in  any  scene,  it  gives  an  air  of  sameness  and  formality, 
ana  all  the  spirited  effect  is  lost  which  its  sparing  introduc- 
tion among  other  trees  produces.    The  Lombardy  poplar 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


153 


is  so  well  adapted  to  confined  situations,  as  its  branches 
require  less  lateral  room  than  those  of  almost  any  other 
large  deciduous  tree. 

It  is  an  objection  to  some  of  the  poplars,  that  in  any 
cultivated  soil  they  produce  an  abundance  of  suckers. 
For  this  reason  they  should  be  planted  only  in  grass  ground, 
or  in  situations  where  the  soil  will  not  be  disturbed,  or 
where  the  suckers  will  not  be  injurious.  Indeed,  we  con- 
ceive them  to  be  chiefly  worthy  of  introduction  in  grounds 
of  large  extent,  to  give  variety  to  plantations  of  other  and 
more  valuable  trees.  They  grow  well  in  almost  every  soil, 
moist  or  dry,  and  some  species  prefer  quite  wet  and  springy 
places. 

The  chief  American  poplars  are  the  Tachamahaca  or 
Balsam  poplar  (Populus  balsamifera),  chiefly  found  in 
Northern  America  ;  a  large  tree,  SO  feet  high,  with  fragrant 
gummy  buds  and  lanceolate-oval  leaves ;  the  Balm  of 
Gilead  poplar  (P.  candicans),  resembling  the  foregoing  in 
its  buds,  but  with  very  large,  broad,  heart-shaped  foliage. 
From  these  a  gum  is  sometimes  collected,  and  used  medi- 
cinally for  the  cure  of  scurvy.  The  American  aspen  (P. 
tremuloides) ,  about  30  feet  high,  a  common  tree  with  very 
tremulous  leaves  and  greenish  bark  ;  the  large  American 
aspen  (P.  grandidentata) ,  40  feet  high,  with  large  leaves 
bordered  with  coarse  teeth  or  denticulations  ;  the  Cotton 
tree  (P.  argented),  60  or  70  feet,  with  leaves  downy  in  a 
young  state  ;  the  American  Black  poplar  of  smaller  size, 
having  the  young  shoots  covered  with  short  hair ;  the 
Cottomvood  (P.  Canadensis),  found  chiefly  in  the  western 
part  of  this  state,  a  fine  tree,  with  smooth,  unequally-toothed, 
wide  cordate  leaves  ;  and  the  Carolina  poplar  (P.  a?igulata)% 


154 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


an  enormous  tree  of  the  swamps  of  the  south  and  west, 
considerably  resembling  the  Cotton  tree,  but  without  the 
resinous  buds  of  that  species. 

Among  the  European  kinds,  the  most  ornamental,  as  we 
have  already  remarked,  is  the  Silver  aspen,  White  poplar,  or 
Abele  tree  (P.  alba),  which  grows  to  a  great  size  on  a  deep 
loamy  soil  in  a  very  short  time.  The  leaves  are  divided 
into  lobes,  and  toothed  on  the  margin,  smooth  and  very 
deep  green  above,  and  densely  covered  with  a  soft,  close, 
white  down  beneath.  There  are  some  varieties  of  this 
species  known  abroad,  with  leaves  more  or  less  downy,  etc. 
Sir  J.  E.  Smith  remarks  in  his  English  Flora,  that  the  wood, 
though  but  little  used,  is  much  firmer  than  that  of  any  other 
British  poplar  ;  making  as  handsome  floors  as  the  best 
Norway  fir,  with  the  additional  advantage  that  they  will 
not  readily  take  fire,  like  any  resinous  wood. 

The  English  aspen  (P.  tremula)  considerably  resembles 
our  native  aspen ;  but  the  buds  are  somewhat  gummy. 
The  Athenian  poplar  (P.  Grceca)  is  a  tree  about  40  feet 
high,  with  smaller,  more  rounded,  and  equally  serrated 
foliage.  The  common  Black  European  poplar  (P.  nigra) 
is  also  a  large,  rapidly  growing  tree,  with  pale-green  leaves 
slightly  notched :  the  buds  expand  later  than  most  other 
poplars,  and  the  young  leaves  are  at  first  somewhat  reddish 
in  color.  The  Necklace-bearing  poplar  (P.  monilifera),  so 
called  from  the  circumstance  of  the  catkins  being  arranged 
somewhat  like  beads  in  a  necklace,  is  supposed  to  have 
been  derived  from  Canada,  but  there  are  some  doubts 
respecting  its  origin :  in  the  south  it  is  generally  called  the 
Virginia  poplar. 

The  Lombardy  poplar  (P.  dilatata),  a  native  of  the  bankg 
of  the  Po,  where  it  is  sometimes  called  the  Cypress  poplar 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


155 


from  its  resembance  to  that  tree,  is  too  well  known  among 
us  to  need  any  description.  Only  one  sex,  the  female,  has 
hitherto  been  introduced  into  this  country  ;  and  it  has  con- 
sequently produced  no  seeds  here,  but  has  been  entirely 
propagated  by  suckers  from  the  root. 


The  Horse-chestnut  Tree.  JEsculus. 
Nat.  Orel.  ^Esculaceae.  Lin.  Syst.  Heptandria,  Monogynia. 

A  large,  showy,  much  admired,  ornamental  tree,  bearing 
large  leaves  composed  of  seven  leaflets,  and,  in  the  month 
of  May,  beautiful  clusters  of  white  flowers,  delicately  mot- 
tled with  red  and  yellow.  It  is  a  native  of  Middle  Asia, 
but  flourishes  well  in  the  temperate  climates  of  both  hemi- 
spheres. It  was  introduced  into  England,  probably  from 
Turkey,  about  the  year  1575  :  in  that  country  the  nuts  are 
often  ground  into  a  coarse  flour,  which  is  mixed  with  other 
food  and  given  to  horses  that  are  broken- winded  ;  and  from 
this  use  the  English  name  of  the  tree  was  derived. 

A  starch  has  been  extracted  in  considerable  quantity 
from  the  nuts.  The  wood  is  considered  valueless  in  the 
United  States. 

The  Horse-chestnut  is  by  no  means  a  picturesque  tree, 
being  too  regularly  rounded  in  its  outlines,  and  too  compact 
and  close  in  its  surface,  to  produce  a  spirited  effect  in  light 
and  shade.  But  it  is  nevertheless  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
exotic  trees  which  will  bear  the  open  air  in  this  climate. 
The  leaves,  each  made  of  clusters  of  six  or  seven  leaflets, 
are  of  a  fine  dark-green  color ;  the  whole  head  of  foliage 


150 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


has  much  grandeur  and  richness  in  its  depth  of  hue  and 
massiness  of  outline  ;  and  the  regular,  rounded,  pyramidal 
shape,  is  something  so  different  from  that  of  most  of  our 
indigenous  trees,  as  to  strike  the  spectator  with  an  air  of 
novelty  and  distinctness.  The  great  beauty  of  the  Horse- 
chestnut  is  the  splendor  of  its  inflorescence,  surpassing  that 
of  almost  all  our  native  forest  trees :  the  huge  clusters  of 
gay  blossoms,  which  every  spring  are  distributed  with  such 
luxuriance  and  profusion  over  the  surface  of  the  foliage, 
and  at  the  extremity  of  the  branches,  give  the  whole  tree 
the  aspect  rather  of  some  monstrous  flowering  shrub,  than 
of  an  ordinary  tree  of  the  largest  size.  At  that  season  there 
can  be  no  more  beautiful  object  to  stand  singly  upon  the 
lawn,  particularly  if  its  branches  are  permitted  to  grow  low 
down  the  trunk,  and  (as  they  naturally  will  as  the  tree  ad- 
vances) sweep  the  green  sward  with  their  drooping  foliage. 
Like  the  lime  tree,  however,  care  must  be  taken,  in  the 
modern  style,  to  introduce  it  rather  sparingly  in  picturesque 
plantations,  and  then  only  as  a  single  tree,  or  upon  the 
margin  of  large  groups,  masses,  or  plantations ;  but  it  may 
be  more  freely  used  in  grounds  in  the  graceful  style,  for 
which  it  is  highly  suitable.  When  handsome  avenues  or 
straight  lines  are  wanted,  the  Horse-chestnut  is  again  ad- 
mirably suited,  from  its  symmetry  and  regularity.  It  is, 
therefore,  much  and  justly  valued  for  these  purposes  in  our 
towns  and  cities,  where  its  deep  shade  and  beauty  of  blos- 
som are  peculiarly  desirable,  the  only  objection  to  it  being 
the  early  fall  of  its  leaves.  The  Horse-chestnut  is  very 
interesting  in  its  mode  of  growth.  The  large  buds  are 
thickly  covered  in  winter  with  a  resinous  gum,  to  protect 
them  from  the  cold  and  moisture  ;  in  the  spring  these  burst 
open,  and  the  whole  growth  of  the  young  shoots,  leaves, 


DECIDUOUS  ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


157 


flowers,  and  all,  is  completed  in  about  three  or  four  weeks 
When  the  leaves  first  unfold,  they  are  clothed  with  a 
copious  cotton-like  down,  which  falls  off  when  they  have 
attained  their  full  size  and  development. 

The  growth  of  the  Horse-chestnut  is  slow  for  a  soft- 
wooded  tree,  when  the  trees  are  young ;  after  five  or  six 
years,  however,  it  advances  with  more  rapidity,  and  in 
twenty  years  forms  a  beautiful  and  massy  tree.  '  It  prefers 
a  strong,  rich,  loamy  soil,  and  is  easily  raised  from  the  large 
nuts,  which  are  produced  in  great  abundance. 

There  are  several  species  of  Horse-chestnut,  but  the 
common  one  (JEsculus  Hippocastanum)  is  incomparably 
the  finest.  The  American  sorts  are  the  following :  (JEs- 
culus  Ohioensis,)  or  Ohio  Buckeye,  as  it  is  called  in  the 
western  states  ;  a  small  sized  tree,  with  palmated  leaves 
consisting  of five  leaflets,  and  pretty,  bright  yellow  flowers, 
with  red  stamens.  The  fruit  is  about  half  the  size  of  the 
exotic  species.  The  Red-flowered  Horse-chestnut  (JEscu- 
lus  rubicunda)  is  a  small  tree  with  scarlet  flowers  ;  and  the 
Smooth-leaved  (JE.  glabra)  has  pale  yellow  flowers.  All 
the  foregoing  have  prickly  fruit.  Besides  these  are  two 
small  Horse-chestnuts  with  smooth  fruit,  which  thence 
properly  belong  to  the  genus  Pavia,  viz.  the  Yellow-flow- 
ered Pavia  (P.  luted)  of  Virginia  and  the  southern  states ; 
and  the  Red-flowered  (P.  rubra),  with  pretty  clusters  of 
reddish  flowers ;  both  these  have  leaves  resembling  those 
of  the  Horse-chestnut,  except  in  being  divided  into  five 
leaflets,  instead  of  seven.  There  are  some  other  species, 
which  are,  however,  rather  shrubs  than  trees. 


158 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


The  Birch  Tree.  Betula. 

Nat.  Ord.    Betulacere.    Lin.  Syst.    Monoecia,  Polyandria. 

The  Birch  trees  are  common  inhabitants  of  the  forests 
5>f  all  cold  and  elevated  countries.  They  are  remarkable 
for  their  smooth,  silvery-white,  or  reddish  colored  stems, 
delicate  and  pliant  spray,  and  small,  light  foliage.  There 
is  no  deciduous  tree  which  will  endure  a  more  rigorous 
climate,  or  grow  at  a  greater  elevation  above  the  level  ot 
the  sea.  It  is  found  growing  in  Greenland  and  Kams- 
chatka,  as  far  north  as  the  58th  and  60th  degree  of 
latitude,  and  on  the  Alps  in  Switzerland,  according  to 
that  learned  botanist,  M.  DeCandolle,  at  the  elevation  of 
4,400  feet.  It  is  undoubtedly  the  most  useful  tree  of 
northern  climates.  Not  only  are  cattle  and  sheep 
sometimes  fed  upon  the  leaves,  but  the  Laplander 
constructs  his  hut  of  the  branches ;  the  Russian  forms 
the  bark  into  shoes,  baskets,  and  cordage  for  harnessing 
his  reindeer ;  and  the  inhabitants  of  Northern  Siberia,  in 
times  of  scarcity,  grind  it  to  mix  with  their  oatmeal  for 
food.  In  this  country  the  birch  is  no  less  useful.  The 
North  American  Indian,  and  all  who  are  obliged  to  travel 
the  wild,  unfrequented  portions  of  British  America, — 
who  have  to  pass  over  rapids,  and  make  their  way 
through  the  wilderness  from  river  to  river, — find  the 
canoe  made  of  the  birch  bark,  the  lightest,  the  most 
durable,  and  convenient  vessel,  for  these  purposes,  in  the 
world.* 

*  The  following  interesting  description  of  their  manufacture,  we  quote  from 
Michaux.  "  The  most  important  purpose  to  which  the  Canoe  birch  is  applied; 
and  one  in  which  its  place  is  supplied  by  no  other  tree,  is  the  construction  of 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


159 


The  wood  of  our  Black  birch  is  by  far  the  finest ;  and, 
as  it  assumes  a  beautiful  rosy  color  when  polished,  and  is 
next  in  texture  to  the  wild  Cherry  tree,  it  is  considerably 
esteemed  among  cabinet-makers  in  the  eastern  states,  for 
chairs,  tables,  and  bedsteads. 

In  Europe,  the  sap  of  the  birch  is  collected  in  the 
spring,  in  the  same  manner  as  that  of  the  maple  in  this 
country,  boiled  with  sugar  and  hops,  and  fermented  with 
the  aid  of  yeast.  The  product  of  the  fermentation  is 
called  birch  wine,  and  is  described  as  being  a  remarkably 
pleasant  and  healthy  beverage. 

Though  perhaps  too  common  in  some  districts  of  our 
country  to  be  properly  regarded  as  an  ornamental  tree, 
yet  in  others  where  it  is  less  so,  the  birch  will  doubtless 
be  esteemed  as  it  deserves.  With  us  it  is  a  great  favorite  ; 
and  we  regard  it  as  a  very  elegant  and  graceful  tree,  not 
less  on  account  of  the  silvery  white  bark  of  several 
species,  than  from  the  extreme  delicacy  of  the  spray,  and 
the  pleasing  lightness  and  airiness  of  the  foliage.  In  all 
the  species,  the  branches  have  a  tendency  to  form  those 
graceful  curves  which  contribute  so  much  to  the  beauty 

canoes.  To  procure  proper  pieces,  the  largest  and  smoothest  trunks  are 
selected  ;  in  the  spring,  two  circular  incisions  are  made  several  feet  apart,  and 
two  longitudinal  ones,  on  opposite  sides  of  the  tree :  after  which,  by  intro- 
ducing a  wedge,  the  bark  is  easily  detached.  These  plates  are  usually  ten  or 
twelve  feet  long,  and  two  feet  nine  inches  broad.  To  form  canoes,  they  are 
stitched  together  with  fibrous  roots  of  the  white  spruce,  about  the  size  of  a 
quill,  which  are  deprived  of  the  bark,  split,  and  suppled  in  water.  The  seams 
are  coated  with  resin  of  the  Balm  of  Gilead.  Great  use  is  made  of  these 
canoes  by  the  savages,  and  the  French  Canadians,  in  their  long  journeys  through 
the  interior  of  the  country :  they  are  light,  and  very  easily  transported  on  the 
shoulders  from  one  lake  to  another,  which  is  called  the  portage.  A  canoa 
calculated  for  four  persons,  with  their  baggage,  weighs  from  forty  to  fifty 
pounds  ;  and  some  of  them  are  made  to  carry  fifteen  passengers." 


160 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


of  trees  ;  but  the  European  weeping  birch  is  peculiarly 
pleasing  as  it  grows  old,  on  that  account.  It  is  this  variety 
which  Coleridge  pronounces, 

"  Most  beautiful 

Of  forest  trees — the  Lady  of  the  woods." 

And  Bernard  Barton,  speaking  of  our  native  species,  says, 

 "  See  the  beautiful  Birch  tree  fling 

Its  shade  on  the  grass  beneath — 
Its  glossy  leaf,  and  its  silvery  stem  ; 
Dost  thou  not  love  to  look  on  them  1" 

The  American  sorts,  and  particularly  the  Black  birch, 
start  into  leaf  very  early  in  the  spring,  and  their  tender 
green  is  agreeable  to  the  eye  at  that  season;  while  the 
swelling  buds  and  young  foliage  in  many  kinds,  give  out  a 
delicious,  though  faint  perfume.  Even  the  blossoms,  which 
hang  like  little  brown  tassels  from  the  drooping  branches, 
are  interesting  to  the  lover  of  nature. 

"  The  fragrant  birch  above  him  hung 
Her  tassels  in  the  sky, 
And  many  a  vernal  blossom  sprung, 
And  nodded  careless  by." 

B;ryant. 

Nothing  can  well  be  prettier,  seen  from  the  windows  of 
the  drawing-room,  than  a  large  group  of  trees,  whose  depth 
and  distance  is  made  up  by  the  heavy  and  deep  masses  of 
the  ash,  oak,  and  maple  ;  and  the  portions  nearest  the  eye  or 
the  lawn  terminated  by  a  few  birches,  with  their  sparkling 
white  stems,  and  delicate,  airy,  drooping  foliage.  Our  White 
birch,  being  a  small  tree,  is  very  handsome  in  such  situa- 
tions, and  offers  the  most  pleasing  variety  to  the  eye,  when 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


161 


seen  in  connexion  with  other  foliage.  Several  kinds,  as 
the  Yellow  and  the  Black  birches,  are  really  stately  trees, 
and  form  fine  groups  by  themselves.  Indeed,  most  beauti- 
ful and  varied  masses  might  be  formed  by  collecting 
together  all  the  different  kinds,  with  their  characteristic 
barks,  branches,  and  foliage. 

As  an  additional  recommendation,  many  of  these  trees 
grow  on  the  thinnest  and  most  indifferent  soils,  whether 
moist  or  dry  ;  and  in  cold,  bleak,  and  exposed  situations, 
as  well  as  in  warm  and  sheltered  places. 

We  shall  enumerate  the  different  kinds  as  follows  : — 
The  Canoe  birch,  Boleau  a  Canot,  of  the  French  Cana- 
dians (B.  papyracea),  sometimes  also  called  the  Paper  birch, 
is,  according  to  Michaux,  most  common  in  the  forests  of  the 
eastern  states,  north  of  latitude  43°,  and  in  the  Canadas 
There  it  attains  its  largest  size,  sometimes  seventy  feet  in 
height,  and  three  in  diameter.  Its  branches  are  slender, 
flexible,  covered  with  a  shining  brown  bark,  dotted  with 
white  ;  and  on  trees  of  moderate  size,  the  bark  of  the  trunk 
is  of  a  brilliant  white  ;  it  is  often  used  for  roofing  houses, 
for  the  manufacture  of  baskets,  boxes,  etc.,  besides  its  most 
important  use  for  canoes,  as  already  mentioned.  The  leaves, 
borne  on  petioles  four  or  five  lines  long,  are  of  a  middling 
size,  oval,  unequally  denticulated,  smooth,  and  of  a  dark 
green  color. 

The  White  birch  (B.  populifolia)  is  a  tree  of  much 
smaller  size,  generally  from  twenty  to  thirty-five,  feet  in 
height :  it  is  found  in  New  York  and  the  other  middle 
states,  as  well  as  at  the  north.  The  trunk,  like  the  fore- 
going, is  covered  with  silvery  bark  ;  the  branches  are 
slender,  and  generally  drooping  when  the  iree  attains  con 

siderable  size.    The  leaves  are  smooth  on  both  surfaces; 

11 


162 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


heart-shaped  at  the  base,  very  acuminate,  and  doubly  and 
irregularly  toothed.  The  petioles  are  slightly  twisted,  and 
the  leaves  are  almost  as  tremulous  as  those  of  the  aspen. 
It  is  a  beautiful  small  tree  for  ornamental  plantations. 

The  common  Black  or  Sweet  birch.  (B.  lenta.)  This 
is  the  sort  most  generally  known  by  the  name  of  the  birch, 
and  is  widely  diffused  over  the  middle  and  southern  states. 
In  color  and  appearance  the  bark  much  resembles  that  of 
the  cherry  tree ;  on  old  trees,  at  the  close  of  winter,  it  is 
frequently  detached  in  transverse  portions,  in  the  form  of 
hard  ligneous  plates  six  or  eight  inches  broad.  The  leaves, 
for  a  fortnight  after  their  appearance,  are  covered  with  a 
thick  silvery  down,  which  disappears  soon  after.  They  are 
about  two  inches  long,  serrate,  heart-shaped  at  the  base, 
acuminate  at  the  summit,  and  of  a  pleasing  tint  and  fine 
texture.  The  wood  is  of  excellent  quality,  and  Michaux 
recommends  its  introduction  largely  into  the  forests  of  the 
north  of  Europe. 

The  Yellow  birch  (B.  luted)  grows  most  plentifully  in 
Nova  Scotia,  Maine,  and  New  Brunswick,  on  cool,  rich 
soils,  where  it  is  a  tree  of  the  largest  size.  It  is  remark- 
able for  the  color  and  arrangement  of  its  outer  bark,  which 
is  of  a  brilliant  golden  yellow,  and  is  frequently  seen  divided 
into  fine  strips  rolled  backwards  at  the  end,  but  attached  in 
the  middle.  The  leaves  are  about  three  and  a  half  inches 
long,  two  and  a  half  broad,  ovate,  acuminate,  and  bordered 
with  sharp  and  irregular  teeth.  It  is  a  beautiful  tree,  with 
a  trunk  of  nearly  uniform  diameter,  straight,  and  destitute 
of  branches  for  thirty  or  forty  feet. 

The  Red  jirch  (B.  rubra)  belongs  chiefly  to  the  south, 
being  scarcely  ever  seen  north  of  Virginia.  It  prefers  the 
moist  soil  of  river  banks,  where  iA  reaches  a  noble  height 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


163 


It  takes  its  name  from  the  cinnamon  or  reddish  color  of  the 
outer  bark  on  the  young  trees  ;  when  old  it  becomes  rough, 
furrowed,  and  greenish.  The  leaves  are  light  green  on  the 
upper  surface,  whitish  beneath,  very  pointed  at  the  end, 
and  terminated  at  the  base  in  an  acute  angle.  The  twigs 
are  long,  flexible,  and  pendulous  ;  and  the  limbs  of  a  brown 
color,  spotted  with  white. 

The  European  White  birch.  (B.  alba.)  This  species, 
the  common  birch  tree  of  Europe,  is  intermediate  in  appear- 
ance and  qualities  between  our  Canoe  birch  and  White 
birch.  The  latter  it  resembles  in  its  foliage,  the  former  in 
its  large  size  and  the  excellence  of  its  wood.  There  is  a 
distinct  variety  of  this,  to  which  we  have  alluded,  called 
the  Weeping  birch  (Var.  pendula),  which  is  very  rapid  in 
its  growth,  and  highly  graceful  in  its  form.  From  the  great 
beauty  of  our  native  species,  this  is  perhaps  the  only  Euro- 
pean sort  which  it  is  very  desirable  to  introduce  into  our 
collections. 


The  Alder  Tree.  Alnus. 
Nat.  Ord.    Betulaceae.  Lin.  Syst.    Monoecia,  Tetrandria. 

The  alder  tree  is  a  native  of  the  whole  of  Europe,  where 
it  grows  to  the  altitude  of  from  thirty  to  sixty  feet.  Our 
common  Black  alder  (A.  glauca),  and  Hazel-leaved  alder 
(A.  serrulata),  are  low  shrubs  of  little  value  or  interest. 
This,  however,  is  a  neat  tree,  remarkable  for  its  love  of 
moist  situations,  and  thriving  best  in  places  even  too  wet 
for  the  willows  ;  although  it  will  also  flourish  on  dry  and 
elevated  soils     The  leaves  are  roundish  in  form,  wavy,  and 


164 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


serrated  in  their  margins,  and  dark  green  in  color.  The 
tree  rapidly  forms  an  agreeable  pyramidal  head  of  foliage, 
when  growing  in  damp  situations.  As  it  is  a  foreign  tree 
we  shall  quote  from  Gilpin  its  character  in  scenery.  "  The 
alder,"  says  he,  "loves  a  low,  moist  soil,  and  frequents  the 
banks  of  rivers,  and  will  flourish  in  the  poorest  forest 
swamps  where  nothing  else  will  grow.  It  is  perhaps  the 
most  picturesque  of  any  of  the  aquatic  tribe,  except  the 
weeping  willow.  He  who  would  see  the  alder  in  perfection 
must  follow  the  banks  of  the  Mole  in  Surrey,  through  the 
sweet  vales  of  Dorking  and  Mickleham,  into  the  groves  of 
Esher.  The  Mole,  indeed,  is  far  from  being  a  beautiful 
river ;  it  is  a  silent  and  sluggish  stream,  but  what  beauty 
it  has  it  owes  greatly  to  the  alder,  which  everywhere  fringes 
its  meadows,  and  in  many  places  forms  very  pleasing  scenes. 
It  is  always  associated  in  our  minds  with  river  scenery, 
both  of  that  tranquil  description  most  frequently  to  be  met 
with  in  the  vales  of  England,  and  with  that  wider  and  more 
stirring  cast  which  is  to  be  found  amidst  the  deep  glens  and 
ravines  of  Scotland  ;  and  nowhere  is  this  tree  found  in 
greater  perfection  than  on  the  wild  banks  of  the  river  Find- 
horn  and  its  tributary  streams,  where  scenery  of  the  most 
romantic  description  everywhere  prevails.'5* 

Although  the  beauty  of  the  alder  is  of  a  secondary  kind, 
it  is  worth  occasional  introduction  into  landscapes  where 
there  is  much  water  to  be  planted  round,  or  low  running 
streams  to  cover  with  foliage.  In  these  damp  places,  like 
the  willow,  it  grows  very  well  from  truncheons  or  large 
limbs,  stuck  in  the  ground,  which  take  root  and  become 
trees  speedily.    There  are  two  principal  varieties,  the 


*  Lauder's  Gilpin,  i.  p.  J3G. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


165 


common  alder  (A.  glutinosa),  and  the  cut-leaved  aide) 
(A.  glutinosa  laciniata).  The  latter  is  much  the  hand 
somer  tree,  and  is  also  the  rarest  in  our  nurseries. 


The  Maple  Tree.  Acer. 
Nat.  Ord.    Aceraceae.  Lin.  Syst.    Polygamia,  Monoecia. 

The  great  esteem  in  which  the  maples  are  held  in  the 
middle  states,  as  ornamental  trees,  although  they  are  by  no 
means  uncommon  in  every  piece  of  woods  of  any  extent, 
is  a  high  proof  of  their  superior  merits  for  such  purposes. 
These  consist  in  the  rapidity  of  their  growth,  the  beauty 
of  their  form,  the  fine  verdure  of  their  foliage,  and  in  some 
sorts,  the  elegance  of  their  blossoms.  Among  all  the  spe- 
cies, both  native  and  foreign,  we  consider  the  Scarlet- 
flowering  maple  as  decidedly  the  most  ornamental  species. 
In  the  spring  this  tree  bursts  out  in  gay  tufts  of  red  blos- 
soms, which  enliven  both  its  own  branches  and  the  sur- 
rounding scene  long  before  a  leaf  is  seen  on  other  deciduous 
trees,  and  when  the  only  other  appearances  of  vegetation 
are  a  few  catkins  of  some  willows  or  poplars  swelling  into 
bloom.  At  that  season  of  the  year  the  Scarlet  maple  is 
certainly  the  most  beautiful  tree  of  our  forests.  Besides 
this,  it  grows  well  either  in  the  very  moist  soil  of  swamps, 
or  the  dry  one  of  upland  ridges,  forms  a  fine  clustering 
head  of  foliage,  and  produces  an  ample  and  delightful  shade  ; 
while  it  is  also  as  little  infected  by  insects  of  any  description 
as  any  other  tree.  The  latter  advantage,  the  Sugar  maple 
and  our  other  varieties  equally  possess.    As  a  handsome 


166 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


spreading  tree,  perhaps  the  White  maple  deserves  most 
praise,  its  outline  and  surface  being,  in  many  cases,  quite 
picturesque.  There  is  no  quality,  however,  for  which  the 
American  maples  are  entitled  to  higher  consideration  as 
desirable  objects  in  scenery,  than  for  the  exquisite  beauty 
which  their  foliage  assumes  in  autumn,  as  it  fades  and 
gradually  dies  off.  At  the  first  approach  of  cold  we  can 
just  perceive  a  bright  yellow  stealing  over  the  leaves,  then 
a  deeper  golden  tint,  then  a  few  faint  blushes,  until  at 
length  the  whole  mass  of  foliage  becomes  one  blaze  of 
crimson  or  orange. 

"  Tints  that  the  maple  woods  disclose 
Like  opening  buds  or  fading  rose, 
Or  various  as  those  hues  that  dye 
The  clouds  that  deck  a  sunset  sky." 

The  contrast  of  coloring  exhibited  on  many  of  our  fine 
river  shores  in  a  warm  dry  autumn,  is  perhaps  superior  to 
anything  of  the  kind  in  the  world  :  and  the  leading  and 
most  brilliant  colors,  viz.  orange  and  scarlet,  are  pro- 
duced by  maples.  Even  in  Europe,  they  are  highly 
valued  for  this  autumnal  appearance,  so  different  from  that 
of  most  of  the  trees  of  the  old  world.  Very  beautiful 
effects  can  be  produced  by  planting  the  Scarlet  and  Sugar 
maples  in  the  near  neighborhood  of  the  ash,  which,  as  we 
have  already  noticed,  assumes  a  fine  brownish  purple ;  of 
the  sycamore,  which  is  yellow,  and  some  of  the  oaks,  which 
remain  green  for  a  long  time :  if  to  these  we  add  a  few 
evergreens,  as  the  White  pine  and  hemlock,  to  produce 
depth,  we  shall  have  a  kind  of  kaleidoscope  ground,  harmo- 
nious and  beautiful  as  the  rainbow. 

When  the  maple  is  planted  to  grow  singly  on  the  lawn, 
or  in  small  groups,  it  should  never  be  trimmed  up  ten  01 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


167 


twenty  feet  high,  a  very  common  practice  in  some  places, 
as  this  destroys  half  its  beauty  ;  but  if  it  be  suffered  to 
branch  out  quite  low  down,  it  will  form  a  very  elegant 
head.  The  maple  is  well  suited  to  scenes  expressive  of 
graceful  beauty,  as  they  unite  to  a  considerable  variation 
of  surface,  a  pleasing  softness  and  roundness  of  outline. 
In  bold  or  picturesque  scenes,  they  can  be  employed  to 
advantage  by  intermingling  them  with  the  more  striking 
and  majestic  forms  of  the  oak,  etc.,  where  variety  and 
contrast  is  desired.  The  European  sycamore,  which  is 
also  a  maple,  has  a  coarser  foliage,  and  more  of  strength  in 
its  growth  and  appearance :  it  perhaps  approaches  nearer 
in  general  expression  and  effect  to  the  plane  tree,  than  to 
our  native  maples. 

It  is  unnecessary  for  us  to  recommend  this  tree  for 
avenues,  or  for  bordering  the  streets  of  cities,  as  its  general 
prevalence  in  such  places  sufficiently  indicates  its  acknow- 
ledged claims  for  beauty,  shade,  and  shelter.  It  bears 
pruning  remarkably  well,  and  is  easily  transplanted,  even 
when  of  large  size,  from  its  native  woods  or  swamps.  The 
finest  trees,  however,  are  produced  from  seed. 

The  Sugar  maple  {Acer  saccharinum)  is  a  very  abundant 
tree  in  the  northern  states  and  the  Canadas,  where  it 
sometimes  forms  immense  forests.  The  bark  is  white ;  the 
leaves  four  or  five  inches  broad,  and  five-lobed  ;  varying, 
however,  in  size  according  to  the  age  of  the  tree.  The 
flowers  are  small,  yellowish,  and  suspended  by  slender 
drooping  peduncles.  The  seed  is  contained  in  two  capsules 
united  at  the  base,  and  terminated  in  a  membranous  wing  ; 
they  are  ripe  in  October.  From  certain  parts  of  the  trunks 
of  old  Sugar  maples,  the  fine  wood  called  bird's-eye  maple 


1GS 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


is  taken,  which  is  so  highly  prized  by  the  cabinet-makers 
and  the  sap,  which  flows  in  abundance  from  holes  bored  in 
the  stem  of  the  tree  early  in  March,  produces  the  well- 
known  maple  sugar.  This  can  be  clarified,  so  as  to  equal 
that  of  the  cane  in  flavor  and  appearance ;  and  it  has  been 
demonstrated  that  the  planting  of  maple  orchards,  for  the 
production  of  sugar,  would  be  a  profitable  investment .* 

The  Scarlet-flowering  maple  (A.  rubrum)  is  found 
chiefly  on  the  borders  of  rivers,  or  in  swamps  ;  the  latter 
place  appears  best  suited  to  this  tree,  for  it  there  often 
attains  a  very  large  size  :  it  is  frequently  called  the  Soft 
maple  or  Swamp  maple.  The  blossoms  come  out  about 
the  middle  of  April  while  the  branches  are  yet  bare  of 
leaves,  and  their  numerous  little  pendulous  stamens  appear 
like  small  tufts  of  scarlet  or  purple  threads.  The  leaves 
somewhat  resemble  those  of  the  Sugar  maple,  but  are 
rather  smaller,  and  only  three  or  four  lobed,  glaucous  or 
whitish  underneath,  and  irregularly  toothed  on  the  margin. 
This  tree  may  easily  be  distinguished  when  young  from  the 
former,  by  the  bark  of  the  trunk,  which  is  grey,  with  large 
whitish  spots.  Its  trunk,  in  the  choicest  parts,  furnishes  the 
beautiful  wood  known  as  the  curled  maple. 

The  White  or  Silver-leaved  maple.  (A.  eriocarpum.) 
This  species  somewhat  resembles  the  Scarlet-flowering 
maple.  West  of  the  Alleghany  mountains  it  is  seen  in 
perfection,  and  is  well  known  as  the  White  maple.  Its 
flowers  are  pale ;  the  leaves  are  divided  into  four  lobes, 
and  have  a  beautiful  white  under  surface.  Michaux, 
speaking  of  this  tree,  says  :    "In  no  part  of  the  United 

*  A.  nigrvm  is  a  variety  omitted  by  Mr.  Downing,  though  quite  well  known 
at  the  time  he  wrote.  It  differs  from  A.  saccharinum,  in  having  much  larger 
leaves,  and  the  bark  of  a  darker  color ;  besides  which,  the  sap  is  more  abund- 
ant, and  much  sweeter,  and  is  considered  at  the  West  much  the  finer  tree  of 
the  two.— tl.  W.  S. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


109 


States  is  it  more  multiplied  than  in  the  western  country, 
and  nowhere  is  its  vegetation  more  luxuriant  than  on  the 
banks  of  the  Ohio.  There,  sometimes  alone  and  sometimes 
mingled  with  the  willow,  which  is  found  along  these  waters, 
it  contributes  singularly,  by  its  magnificent  foliage,  to  the 
embellishment  of  the  scene.  The  brilliant  white  of  the 
leaves  beneath,  forms  a  striking  contrast  with  the  bright 
green  above  ;  and  the  alternate  reflection  of  the  two  surfaces 
in  the  water,  heightening  the  beauty  of  this  wonderful 
moving  mirror,  aids  in  forming  an  enchanting  picture, 
which,  during  my  long  excursions  in  a  canoe  in  these  re- 
gions of  solitude  and  silence,  I  contemplated  with  unwearied 
admiration."*  There,  on  those  fine,  deep,  alluvial  soils,  it 
often  attains  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  in  circumference. 

As  an  ornamental  variety,  the  Silver-leaved  maple  is  one 
of  the  most  valuable.  It  is  exceedingly  rapid  in  its  growth, 
often  making  shoots  six  feet  long  in  a  season  ;  and  the 
silvery  hue  of  its  foliage,  when  stirred  by  the  wind,  as  well 
as  its  fine,  half  drooping  habit,  render  it  highly  interesting 
to  the  planter.  Admirable  specimens  of  this  species  may 
be  seen  in  the  wide  streets  of  Burlington,  N.  J. 

The  Moose  wood,  or  Striped  maple  (A.  striatum),  is  a  small 
tree  with  beautifully  striped  bark.  It  is  often  seen  on  the 
mountains  which  border  the  Hudson,  but  abounds  most 
profusely  in  the  north  of  the  continent.  Acer  nigrum  is 
the  Black  sugar  tree  of  Genesee.  A.  Negundo,]  the  Ash- 
leaved  maple,  has  handsome  pinnated  foliage  of  a  light 
green  hue  ;  it  forms  a  pleasing  tree  of  medium  size. 
These  are  our  principal  native  species  J 


*  N.  A.  Sylva,  i.  214.  t  Negundo  fraxinifolium. 

X  Mr.  Douglas  has  discovered  a  very  superb  maple  (A.  macrophyllum) ,  on 
the  Columbia  river,  with  very  large  leaves,  and  fine  fragrant  yellow  blossoms 


170 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Among  the  finest  foreign  sorts  is  the  Norway  maple 
(A.  platanoides),  with  leaves  intermediate  in  appearance 
between  those  of  the  plane  tree  and  Sugar  maple.  The 
bark  of  the  trunk  is  brown,  and  rougher  in  appearance 
than  our  maples,  and  the  tree  is  more  loose  and  spreading 
in  its  growth  ;  it  also  grows  more  rapidly,  and  strongly 
resembles  at  a  little  distance,  the  button-wood  in  its  young 
state.  Another  interesting  species  is  the  sycamore  tree  or 
Great  maple  (A.  pseudo-platanus).  The  latter  also 
considerably  resembles  the  plane  ;  but  the  leaves,  like  those 
of  the  common  maple,  are  smoother.  They  are  hve-lobed, 
acute  in  the  divisions,  and  are  placed  on  much  longer 
petioles  than  those  of  most  of  the  species.  The  flowers, 
strung  in  clusters  like  those  of  the  common  currant,  are 
greenish  in  color.  It  is  much  esteemed  as  a  shade-tree 
in  Scotland  and  some  parts  of  the  Continent,  and  grows 
with  vigor,  producing  a  large  head,  and  widely  spreading 
branches. 


The  Locust  Tree.  Robinia. 

Nat.  Ord.    Leguminosae.  Lin.  Syst.    Diadelphia,  Decandria. 

This  is  a  well-known  American  tree,  found  growing 
wild  in  all  of  the  states  west  of  the  Delaware  River.  It  is 
a  tree  of  secondary  size,  attaining  generally  the  height  of 
forty  or  fifty  feet.  The  leaves  are  pinnated,  bluish-green 
m  color,  and  are  thinly  scattered  over  the  branches.  The 
white  blossoms  appear  in  June,  and  are  highly  fragrant  and 
beautiful ;  and  from  them  the  Paris  perfumers  distil  an 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


171 


cxtrait  which  greatly  resembles  orange-flower  water,  and 
is  used  for  the  same  purposes. 

As  an  ornamental  tree  we  do  not  esteem  the  locust 
highly.  The  objections  to  it  are,  1st,  its  meagreness  and 
lightness  of  foliage,  producing  but  little  shade  ;  secondly, 
the  extreme  brittleness  of  its  branches,  which  are  liable  to 
be  broken  and  disfigured  by  every  gale  of  wind  ;  and  lastly 
the  abundance  of  suckers  which  it  produces.  Notwith- 
standing these  defects,  we  would  not  entirely  banish  the 
locust  from  our  pleasure-grounds ;  for  its  light  foliage  of  a 
fresh  and  pleasing  green  may  often  be  used  to  advantage 
in  producing  a  variety  with  other  trees ;  and  its  very  fra- 
grant blossoms  are  beautiful,  when  in  the  beginning  of 
summer  they  hang  in  loose  pendulous  clusters  from  among 
its  light  foliage.  These  will  always  speak  sufficiently  in 
its  favor  to  cause  it  to  be  planted  more  or  less,  where  a 
variety  of  trees  is  desired.  It  should,  however,  be  re- 
membered that  the  foliage  comes  out  at  a  late  period  in 
spring,  and  falls  early  in  autumn,  which  we  consider  objec- 
tions to  any  tree  that  is  to  be  planted  in  the  close  vicinity 
of  the  mansion.  It  is  valuable  for  its  extremely  rapid 
growth  when  young ;  as  during  the  first  ten  or  fifteen  years 
of  its  life  it  exceeds  in  thrifty  shoots  almost  all  other  forest 
trees :  but  it  is  comparatively  short-lived,  and  in  twenty 
yeais'  time  many  other  trees  would  completely  overtop  and 
outstrip  it  It  is  easily  propagated  by  seed,  which  is  by 
far  the  best  mode  of  raising  it,  and  it  prefers  a  deep,  rich, 
sandy  loam. 

The  locust  can  be  cultivated  to  advantage  as  a  timber 
tree,  only  upon  deep,  mellow,  and  rather  rich,  sandy  soils ; 
there,  its  growth  is  wonderfully  vigorous,  and  an  immense 
number  may  be  grown  upon  a  small  area  of  ground. 

There  are  but  two  distinct  species  of  locust  which  attain 


172  LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 

the  size  of  trees  in  this  country,  viz.  the  Yellow  locust 
(R.  pseud-acacia),  so  called  from  the  color  of  its  wood  ;  and 
the  Honey  locust  (R.  viscosa),  a  smaller  tree,  with  reddish 
flowers,  and  branches  covered  with  a  viscid  honey-like  gum. 
Some  pretty  varieties  of  the  former  have  been  originated 
in  gardens  abroad,  among  which  the  Parasol  locust  (Var. 
umbraculifera)  is  decidedly  the  most  interesting.  We 
recollect  some  handsome  specimens  which  were  imported 
by  the  late  M.  Parmentier,  and  grew  in  his  garden  at 
Brooklyn,  Long  Island.  They  were  remarkable  for  their 
unique,  rounded,  umbrella-like  heads,  when  grafted  ten  or 
twelve  feet  high  on  the  common  locust. 

There  are  two  pretty  distinct  varieties  of  the  common 
Yellow  locust,  cultivated  on  the  Hudson.  That  most  fre- 
quently seen  is  the  White  variety,  which  forms  a  tall  and 
narrow  head  ;  the  other  is  the  Black  locust,  with  a  broad 
and  more  spreading  head,  and  larger  trunk  ;  the  latter  may 
be  seen  in  fine  condition  at  Clermont.  It  is  a  much  finer 
ornamental  tree,  and  appears  less  liable  to  the  borer  than 
the  White  variety. 


The  Three-thorned  Acacia  Tree.  Gleditschia. 

Nat.  Ord.    Leguminosae.  Lin.  Syst.    Polygamia,  Dioecia. 

This  tree  is  often  called  the  Three-thorned  locust,  from 
some  resemblance  to  the  latter  tree.  Its  delicate,  doubly 
pinnate  leaves,  however,  are  much  more  like  those  of  the 
Acacias,  a  family  of  plants  not  hardy  enough  to  bear  our 
climate.  It  is  a  much  finer  tree  in  appearance  than  the 
common  locust,  although  the  flowers  are  greenish,  and 
inconspicuous,  instead  of  possessing  the  beauty  and  fra- 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


173 


grance  of  the  latter.  There  is,  however,  a  peculiar  ele- 
gance about  its  light  green  and  beautiful  foliage,  which 
wafts  so  gracefully  in  the  summer  breeze,  and  folds  up  on 
the  slightest  shower,  that  it  stands  far  above  that  tree  in 
our  estimation,  for  the  embellishment  of  scenery.  The 
branches  spread  out  rather  horizontally,  in  a  fine,  broad 
and  lofty  head ;  there  are  none  of  the  dead  and  unsightly 
branches  so  common  on  the  locust ;  and  the  light  feathery 
foliage,  lit  up  in  the  sunshine,  has  an  airy  and  transparent 
look,  rarely  seen  in  so  large  a  tree,  which  sometimes  pro- 
duces very  happy  effects  in  composition  with  other  trees. 
The  bark  is  of  a  pleasing  brown,  smooth  in  surface  the 
branches  are  studded  over  with  curious,  long,  triply-pointed 
thorns,  which  also  often  jut  out  in  clusters,  in  every  direc- 
tion from  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  to  the  length  of  four  or  five 
inches,  giving  it  a  most  singular  and  forbidding  look.  In 
winter,  these  and  the  long  seed-pods,  five  or  six  inches  in 
length,  which  hang  upon  the  boughs  at  that  season,  give  the 
whole  tree  a  very  distinct  character.  These  pods  contain 
a  sweetish  substance,  somewhat  resembling  honey ; 
whence  the  tree  has  in  some  places  obtained  the  name  of 
Honey  locust,  which  properly  belongs  to  Robinia  viscosa. 

Another  recommendation  of  this  tree,  is  the  variety  of 
picturesque  shapes  which  it  assumes  in  growing  up ;  some- 
times forming  a  tall  pyramidal  head  of  50  or  60  feet,  some- 
times a  low  horizontally  branched  tree,  and  at  others  it 
expands  into  a  wide  irregular  head,  quite  flattened  at  the 
summit.  It  does  not  produce  suckers  like  the  locust,  and 
may  therefore  be  introduced  into  any  part  of  the  grounds. 
When  but  a  limited  extent  is  devoted  to  a  lawn  or  garden, 
this  tree  should  be  among  the  first  to  obtain  a  place ;  as 
one  or  two  Three-thorned  Acacias,  mingled  with  other 


174 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


larger  and  heavier  foliage,  will  at  once  produce  a  charming 
variety. 

The  Three-thorned  Acacia  has  been  strongly  recom- 
mended for  nedges.  It  is  too  liable  to  become  thin  at  the 
bottom,  to  serve  well  for  an  outer  inclosure,  but  if  kept 
well  trimmed,  it  forms  a  capital  farm  fence  and  protection 
against  the  larger  animals,  growing  up  in  much  less  time 
than  the  hawthorn.  Like  the  locust,  it  has  the  disadvan- 
tage of  expanding  its  foliage  late  in  the  spring.  In  the 
strong  rich  soils  which  it  prefers,  it  grows  very  vigorously, 
and  is  easily  propagated  from  seeds. 

The  Three-thorned  Acacia  (G.  triacanthos)  is  the  prin- 
cipal species,  and  is  indigenous  to  the  states  west  of  the 
Alleghanies.  G.  monosperma  is  another  kind,  which  is 
scarcely  distinguishable  from  the  Three-thorned,  except  in 
having  one-seeded  pods.  The  seedlings  raised  from  G. 
triacanthos  are  often  entirely  destitute  of  thorns. 

There  is  a  fine  species  called  the  Chinese  {G.  horrida), 
with  larger  and  finer  foliage,  and  immense  triple  thorns, 
which  is  interesting  from  its  great  singularity.  A  tree  of 
this  kind  which  we  imported,  has  stood  our  coldest  winters 
perfectly  uninjured,  and  promises  to  be  beautiful  and  very 
hardy.  Some  noble  specimens  of  the  common  Three- 
thorned  Acacia  may  be  seen  upon  the  lawn  at  Hyde  Park, 
the  fine  seat  of  the  late  Dr.  Hosack. 


The  Judas  Tree.  Cercis. 

Nat.  Ord.    Leguminosae.       l.in.  Sijst.    Decandria,  Monogynia. 

A  handsome  low  tree,  about  20  feet  in  height,  which  is 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


175 


found  scattered  sparsely  through  warm  sheltered  valleys, 
along  the  Hudson  and  other  rivers  of  the  northern  sections 
of  the  United  States,  but  most  abundantly  on  the  Ohio. 
It  is  valuable  as  an  ornamental  tree,  no  less  on  account  of 
its  exceedingly  neat  foliage,  which  is  exactly  heart-shaped, 
or  cordiform,  and  of  a  pleasing  green  tint,  than  for  its 
pretty  pink  blossoms.  These,  which  are  pea-shaped,  are 
produced  in  little  clusters  close  to  the  branches,  often  in 
great  profusion,  early  in  the  spring,  before  the  leaves  have 
expanded.  From  the  appearance  of  the  limbs  at  that 
period,  it  has  in  some  places  obtained  the  name  of  Red- 
bud.  It  is  then  one  of  the  most  ornamental  of  trees,  and, 
in  company  with  the  Dog- wood,  serves  greatly  to  enliven 
the  scene,  and  herald  the  advent  of  the  floral  season. 
These  blossoms,  according  to  Loudon  (Encijcl.  of  Plants), 
having  an  agreeable  poignancy,  are  frequently  eaten  in 
salads  abroad,  and  pickled  by  the  French  families  in 
Canada.  The  name  of  Judas  tree  appears  to  have  been 
whimsically  bestowed  by  Gerard,  an  old  English  gardener, 
who  described  it  in  1596,  and  relates  that  "this  is  the  tree 
whereon  Judas  did  hange  himselfe  ;  and  not  upon  the  elder 
tree,  as  it  is  said." 

There  are  two  species  in  common  cultivation ;  the 
American  (C  Canadensis)  and  the  European  (C  Sili- 
quastrum).  The  latter  much  resembles  our  native  tree. 
The  flowers,  however,  are  deeper  in  color ;  the  leaves 
darker,  and  less  pointed  at  the  extremity.  It  also  produces 
blossoms  rather  more  profusely  than  the  American  tree. 
Both  species  are  highly  worthy  of  a  place  in  the  garden,  or 
near  the  house,  where  their  pleasing  vernal  influences  may 
be  observed. 


170 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


The  Chestnut  Tree.  Castanea. 
Nat.  Ord.    Corylaceae.       Lin.  Syst.    Moncecia,  Polyandria. 

The  chestnut,  for  its  qualities  in  Landscape  Gardening 
ranks  with  that  king  of  the  forest,  the  oak.  Like  that  tree; 
it  attains  an  enormous  size,  and  its  longevity  in  some  cases 
is  almost  equally  remarkable.  Its  fine  massy  foliage,  and 
sweet  nuts,  have  rendered  it  a  favorite  tree  since  a  very 
remote  period.  Among  the  ancients,  the  latter  were  a 
common  article  of  food. 

 "  Sunt  nobis  mitia  poma, 

Castanea  molles,  et  pressi  copia  lactis." 

Virg.  Ecl.  1. 

They  appear  to  have  been  in  general  use,  both  in  a  raw 
and  cooked  state.  In  times  of  scarcity,  they  probably 
supplied  in  some  measure  the  place  of  bread-stuffs,  and 
were  thence  highly  valued : 

"  As  for  the  thrice  three  angled  beech  nut  shell, 
Or  Chestnut's  armed  huske  and  hid  kernell, 
No  squire  durst  touch,  the  law  would  not  afford, 
Kept  for  the  court,  and  for  the  king's  own  board." 

Bp.  Hall,  Sat.  B.  III.  1. 

Even  to  this  day,  in  those  parts  of  France  and  Italy 
nearest  the  great  chestnut  forests  of  the  Appenines,  these 
nuts  form  a  large  portion  of  the  food  which  sustains  the 
peasantry,  where  grain  is  but  little  cultivated,  and  potatoes 
almost  unknown.  There  a  sweet  and  highly  nutritious 
flour  is  prepared  from  them,  which  makes  a  delicious 
bread.  Large  quantities  of  the  fruit  are  therefore 
annually  collected  in  those  countries,  and  dried  and  stored 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


177 


away  for  the  winter's  consumption.  Old  Evelyn  says, 
"the  bread  of  the  flour  is  exceedingly  nutritive  :  it  is  a 
robust  food,  and  makes  women  well  complexioned,  as  1 
have  read  in  a  good  author.  They  also  make  fritters  of 
chestnut  flour,  which  they  wet  with  rose-water,  and 
sprinkle  with  grated  parmigans,  and  so  fry  them  in  fresh 
butter  for  a  delicate."  The  fruit  of  the  chestnut  abounds 
in  saccharine  matter ;  and  we  learn  from  a  French 
periodical,  that  experiments  have  been  made,  by  which  it 
is  ascertained  that  the  kernel  yields  nearly  sixteen  pei 
cent,  of  good  sugar. 

As  a  timber  tree,  this  is  greatly  inferior  to  the  oak,  being 
looser  grained,  and  more  liable  to  decay ;  and  the 
American  wood  is  more  open  to  this  objection  than  that 
produced  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Atlantic.  It  is, 
however,  in  general  use  among  us,  for  posts  and  rails  in 
fencing  ;  and  when  the  former  are  charred,  they  are  found 
to  be  quite  durable. 

The  finest  natural  situations  for  this  tree  appear  to  be 

the  mountainous  slopes  of  mild  climates,  where  it  attains 

the  greatest  possible  perfection.    Michaux  informs  us,  that 

the  most  superb  and  lofty  chestnuts  in  America  are  to  be 

found  in  such  situations,  in  the  forests  of  the  Carolinas. 

Abroad,  every  one  will  call  to  mind  the  far-famed  chestnuts 

of  Mount  Etna,  of  wonderful  age  and  extraordinary  size. 

The  great  chestnut  there,  has  excited  the  surprise  of 

numerous  travellers  ;  at  present,  however,  it  appears  to  be 

scarcely  more  than  a  mere  shell,  the  wreck  of  former 

greatness.    When  visited  by  M.  Houel  (Arboretum  Brit.), 

it  was  in  a  state  of  decay,  having  lost  the  greater  part  of 

its  branches,  and  its  trunk  was  quite  hollow.    A  house  was 

erected  in  the  interior,  and  some  country  people  resided  in 

12 


178 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


it,  with  an  oven,  in  which,  according  to  the  custom  of  I  he 
country,  they  dried  chestnuts,  filberts,  and  other  fruits, 
which  they  wished  to  preserve  for  winter  use ;  using  as 
fuel,  when  they  could  find  no  other,  pieces  cut  with  a 
hatchet  from  the  interior  of  the  tree.  In  Brydone's  time, 
in  1770,  this  tree  measured  two  hundred  and  four  feet  in 
circumference.  He  says  it  had  the  appearance  of  five 
distinct  trees  ;  but  he  was  assured  that  the  space  was  once 
filled  with  solid  timber,  and  there  was  no  bark  on  the 
inside.  This  circumstance  of  an  old  trunk,  hollow  in  the 
interior,  becoming  separated  so  as  to  have  the  appearance 
of  being  the  remains  of  several  distinct  trees,  is  frequently 
met  with  in  the  case  of  very  old  mulberry  trees  in  Great 
Britain,  and  olive  trees  in  Italy.  Kircher,  about  a  century 
before  Brydone,  affirms  that  an  entire  flock  of  sheep  might 
be  inclosed  within  the  Etna  chestnut,  as  in  a  fold.*  (Ar- 
boretum Brit.  p.  1988.) 

*  One  of' the  most  celebrated  Chestnut  trees  on  record,  is  that  called  the 
Tortworth  Chestnut,  in  England.  In  1772,  Lord  Ducie,  the  owner,  had  a 
portrait  of  it  taken,  which  was  accompanied  by  the  following  description : 
"  The  east  view  of  the  ancient  Chestnut  tree  at  Tortworth,  in  the  county  of 
Gloucester,  which  measures  nineteen  yards  in  circumference,  and  is  mentioned 
by  Sir  Robert  Aikins  in  his  history  of  that  county,  as  a  famous  tree  in  King 
John's  reign  :  and  by  Mr.  Evelyn  in  his  Sylva,  to  have  been  so  remarkable  in 
the  reign  of  King  Stephen,  1135,  as  then  to  be  called  the  great  Chestnut  of 
Tortworth  ;  from  which  it  may  reasonably  be  presumed  to  have  been  standing 
before  the  Conquest,  1066."    This  tree  is  still  standing. 

On  the  estate  of  Marshall  S.  Eice,  Esq.,  at  Newton  Centre,  is  a  venerable, 
though  still  vigorous  and  beautiful  chestnut  tree,  the  dimensions  of  which  are 
believed  to  exceed  any  tree  of  the  same  species  in  New  England.  In  proof  of 
this>}  we  are  informed  that  a  correspondence  has  recently  been  going  on,  through 
the  medium  of  one  of  our  agricultural  papers,  between  the  owner  of  the  above 
tree,  and  several  gentlemen  in  this  r  nd  other  States,  none  of  whom  have  shown 
figures  exceeding  the  following :  size  of  the  "  Eice  Tree" — circumference  at 
base  of  trunk,  24  3-10  feet;  height,  76  feet:  spread  of  lim6s,  93  feet.  This 
tree  is  very  prolific,  and  has  never  been  known  to  fail  of  bearing  a  large  crop 
of  nuts.  About  five  feet  from  the  ground,  the  trunk  divides  into  two  well- 
formed  shafts,  which  run  up  to  the  height  of  thirty  feet,  without  a  branch.— 
H.  W.  S. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


179 


In  considering  the  chestnut  as  highly  adapted  to 
ornament  the  grounds  of  extensive  country  residences, 
much  that  we  have  already  said  of  the  oak  will  apply  to 
this  tree.  When  young,  its  smooth  stem,  clear  and  bright 
foliage,  and  lively  aspect,  when  adorned  with  the  numerous 
light  greenish  yellow  blossoms,  which  project  beyond  the 
mass  of  leaves,  render  it  a  graceful  and  beautiful  tree. 
U  has  long  been  a  favorite  with  the  poets  for  its  grateful 
shade ;  and  as  the  roots  run  deep,  the  soil  beneath  it  is 
sufficiently  rich  and  sheltered  to  afford  an  asylum  for  the 
minutest  beauties  of  the  woods.  Tennyson  sweetly 
says  :— 

"  That  slope  beneath  the  chestnut  tall 
Is  wooed  with  choicest  breaths  of  air, 
Methinks  that  I  could  tell  you  all 
The  cowslips  and  the  king  cups  there." 

When  old,  its  huge  trunk,  wide-spread  branches,  lofty  head, 
and  irregular  outline,  all  contribute  to  render  it  a 
picturesque  tree  of  the  very  first  class.  In  that  state, 
when  standing  alone,  with  free  room  to  develope  itself  on 
every  side,  like  the  oak,  it  gives  a  character  of  dignity, 
majesty,  and  grandeur,  to  the  scene,  beyond  the  power  of 
most  trees  to  confer.  It  is  well  known  that  the  favorite 
tree  of  Salvator  Rosa,  and  one  which  was  most  frequently 
introduced  with  a  singularly  happy  effect  into  his  wild  and 
picturesque  compositions,  was  the  chestnut ;  sometimes 
a  massy  and  bold  group  of  its  verdure,  but  oftener  an  old 
and  storm-rifted  giant,  half  leafless,  or  a  barren  trunk 
coated  with  a  rich  verdure  of  mosses  and  lichens. 

The  chestnut  in  maturity,  like  the  oak,  has  a  great 
variety  of  outline  ;  and  no  trees  are  better  fitted  than 
these  for  the  formation  of  grand  groups,  heavy  masses, 


180 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


or  wide  outlines  of  foliage.  A  higher  kind  of  beauty,  with 
more  dignity  and  variety,  can  be  formed  of  these  two 
genera  of  trees  when  disposed  in  grand  masses,  than  with 
any  other  forest  trees  of  temperate  climates ;  perhaps  we 
may  say  of  any  climate. 

There  is  so  little  difference  in  the  common  Sweet 
chestnut  (Castanea  vesca)  of  both  hemispheres,  that  they 
are  generally  considered  the  same  species.  "Varieties  have 
oeen  produced  in  Europe,  which  far  surpass  our  common 
chestnuts  of  the  woods  in  size,  though  not  in  delicacy  and 
richness  of  flavor.  Those  cultivated  for  the  table  in 
France,  are  known  by  the  name  of  marrons.  These 
improved  sorts  of  the  Spanish  chestnut  bear  fruit  nearly 
as  large  as  that  of  the  Horse-chestnut,  inferior  in 
sweetness,  when  raw,  to  our  wild  species,  but  delicious 
when  roasted.  The  Spanish  chestnut  thrives  well,  and 
forms  a  large  tree,  south  of  the  Highlands  of  the  Hudson, 
but  is  rather  tender  north  of  this  neighborhood.  A  tree 
in  the  grounds  at  Presque  Isle,  the  seat  of  William 
Denning,  Esq.,  Dutchess  Co.,  is  now  40  feet  high.  They 
may  be  procured  from  the  nurseries,  and  we  can  hardly 
recommend  to  our  planters  more  acceptable  additions  to 
our  nut-bearing  forest  trees. 

The  Chinquapin,  or  Dwarf  chestnut  (C.  pumila),  is 
a  curious  low  bush,  from  four  to  six  feet  high.  The  leaves 
are  nearly  the  size  of  the  ordinary  chestnut,  or  rather 
smaller,  and  the  fruit  about  two-thirds  as  large.  It  is  indi- 
genous to  all  the  states  south  of  Pennsylvania,  and  is  often 
found  in  great  abundance.  It  is  a  curious  little  tree,  or 
more  properly  a  shrub,  and  merits  a  place  in  the  garden  ; 
or  it  may  be  advantageously  planted  for  underwood  in 
a  group  of  large  trees. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


18) 


As  the  chestnut,  like  the  oak,  forms  strong  tap-roots,  it  is 
removed  with  some  difficulty.  The  finest  trees  are  pro- 
duced from  the  nut,  and  their  growth  is  much  more  rapid 
when  young,  than  that  of  the  transplanted  tree.  It  prefers 
a  deep  sandy  loam,  rather  moist  than  dry ;  and  will  not, 
like  many  forest  trees,  accommodate  itself  to  wet  and  low 
situations. 


The  Osage  Orange  Tree.  Madura. 
Nat.  Ord.    Urticaceae.       Lin.  Syst.    Dioecia,  Tetrandria. 

This  interesting  tree  is  found  growing  wild  on  the 
Arkansas  River,  and  other  western  tributaries  of  the 
Mississippi,  south  of  St.  Louis,  where,  according  to  Mr. 
Nuttall,  it  attains  the  height  of  50  or  60  feet.  The 
branches  are  rather  light-colored,  and  armed  with  spines 
(produced  at  every  joint)  about  an  inch  and  a  half  long. 
The  leaves  are  long,  ovate,  and  acuminate,  or  pointed 
at  the  extremity  ;  they  are  deep  green,  and  more  glossy 
and  bright  than  those  of  the  orange.  The  blossoms  are 
greenish  ;  and  the  fruit  is  about  the  shape  and  size  of  a 
large  orange,  but  the  surface  much  rougher  than  that  fruit. 
In  the  south,  we  are  told,  it  assumes  a  deep  yellow  color, 
and,  at  a  short  distance,  strikingly  resembles  the  common 
orange ;  the  specimens  of  fruit  which  we  have  seen 
growing  in  Philadelphia,  did  not  assume  that  fine  color  ; 
but  the  appearance  of  the  tree  laden  with  it,  is  not  unlike 
that  of  a  large  orange  tree.  It  was  first  transplanted  into 
our  gardens  from  a  village  of  the  Osage  tribe  of  Indians, 
whence  the  common  name  of  Osage  orange.  The  intro- 
duction of  this  tree  was  one  of  the  favorable  results  of 


182 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Lewis  and  Clarke's  Expedition.  It  was  named  by  them 
in  honor  of  the  late  Wm.  Maclure,  Esq.,  President  of  the 
American  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences. 

The  wood  is  fine  grained,  yellow  in  color,  and  takes 
a  brilliant  polish.  It  is  also  very  strong  and  elastic,  and  on 
this  account  the  Indians  of  the  wide  district  to  which 
this  tree  is  indigenous,  employ  it  extensively  for  bows, 
greatly  preferring  it  to  any  other  timber.  Hence  its  com- 
mon name  among  the  white  inhabitants  is  Bodac,  a  cor 
ruption  of  the  term  hois  3! arc  (bow-wood),  of  the  French 
settlers.  A  fine  yellow  dye  is  extracted  from  the  wood, 
similar  to  that  of  the  Fustic. 

As  the  Osage  orange  belongs  to  the  monoecious  class  of 
plants,  it  does  not  perfect  its  fruit  unless  both  the  male  and 
female  trees  are  growing  in  the  same  neighborhood. 
Many  have  believed  the  fruit  to  be  eatable,  both  from  its 
fine  appearance,  and  from  its  affinity  with  and  resemblance 
to  that  of  the  bread-fruit;  but  all  attempts  to  render  it 
pleasant,  either  cooked  or  in  a  raw  state,  have  hitherto 
failed :  it  is  therefore  probably  inedible,  though  not  injuri- 
ous. Perhaps  when  fully  ripened,  some  mode  of  preparing 
it  by  baking  or  otherwise,  may  render  it  palatable. 

As  an  ornamental  tree,  the  Osage  orange  is  rather  too 
loose  in  the  disposition  of  its  wide-spreading  branches,  to  be 
called  beautiful  in  its  form.  But  the  bright  glossy  hue  of 
its  foliage,  and  especially  the  unique  appearance  of  a  good 
sized  tree  when  covered  with  the  large,  orange-like  fruit, 
render  it  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  our  native  trees  ; 
while  it  has  the  same  charm  of  rarity  as  an  exotic,  since  it 
was  introduced  from  the  far  west,  and  is  yet  but  little 
planted  in  the  United  States.  On  a  small  lawn,  where  but 
few  trees  are  needed,  and  where  it  is  desirable  that  the 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


183 


species  employed  should  all  be  as  distinct  as  possible,  to 
give  the  whole  as  much  variety  as  can  be  obtained  in 
a  limited  space,  such  trees  should  be  selected  as  will  not 
only  be  ornamental,  but  combine  some  other  charm, 
association,  or  interest.  Among  such  trees,  we  would  by 
all  means  give  the  Osage  orange  a  foremost  place.  It  has 
the  additional  recommendation  of  being  a  fine  shade  tree 
and  of  producing  an  excellent  and  durable  wood  # 

The  stout  growth  and  strong  thorns  of  this  tree  have 
been  thought  indicative  of  its  usefulness  for  the  making  of 
hedges :  a  method  of  fencing,  which  sooner  or  later  must 
be  adopted  in  many  parts  of  this  country  .  and  from  the 
experiments  which  we  have  seen  made  with  plants  of  the 
Osage  orange,  we  think  it  likely  to  answer  a  very  valuable 
purpose ;  especially  in  the  middle  and  southern  states. 
The  Messrs.  Landreth  of  Philadelphia  have  lately  offered 
many  thousands  of  them  to  the  public  at  a  low  rate,  and 
we  hope  to  see  the  matter  fairly  tested  in  various  parts  of 
the  Union. 

A  rich  deep  loam  is  the  soil  best  adapted  to  the  growth 
of  this  tree  ;  and  as  it  is  rather  tender  when  young  (though 
quite  hardy  when  it  attains  a  considerable  size)  it  should, 
as  far  as  possible,  be  planted  in  a  rather  sheltered  situation. 
A  dry  soil  is  preferable,  if  it  must  be  placed  in  a  cold 

*  A  very  superb  effect  may  be  produced  with  this  tree,  by  cutting  it 
severely  back  for  several  years,  and  compelling  it,  as  the  English  call  it,  to 
stole,  by  sending  out  a  dozen  leading  shoots,  instead  of  one  ;  a  plant  treated  in 
this  way,  becomes,  after  a  few  years,  a  gigantic  bush,  round-headed,  and  most 
luxuriant,  and  when  covered  with  its  golden  fruit,  peeping  out  from  amidst  its 
exquisitely  green  foliage,  it  is  the  most  superb  floral  ornament  to  a  lawn  that 
can  be  conceived.  We  recollect  a  surprisingly  fine  specimen  of  an  Osage 
Orange  treated  in  this  way,  at  the  late  Dr.  Edmondston's,  near  Baltimore, 
where  a  plant  about  twenty-four  years  old  measured  in  circumference,  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty-five  feet!  the  limbs  lying  about  with  a  profusion  of  growth 
positively  wonderful,  and  covered  with  fruit.— H.  W.  S. 


184 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


aspect,  as  all  plants  not  perfectly  hardy  are  much  injured 
by  the  late  growth,  caused  by  an  excess  of  moisture  and 
consequent  upon  an  immature  state  of  the  wood,  which  is 
unable  to  resist  the  effects  of  a  severe  winter. 


The  Mulberry  Tree.  Morus. 

Nat.  Ord.    Urticaceae.       Lin.  Syst.    Moncecia,  Tetrandria. 

The  three  principal  species  of  the  Mulberry,  are  the 
common  Red  American,  the  European  Black,  and  the 
White  mulberries.  None  of  them  are  truly  handsome  in 
scenery ;  and  the  two  latter  are  generally  low  spreading 
trees,  valued  entirely  for  the  excellency  of  the  fruit,  or  the 
suitableness  of  the  foliage  for  feeding  silkworms.  Our 
common  mulberry,  however,  in  free,  open  situations,  forms 
a  large,  wide-spreading,  horizontally  branched,  and  not 
inelegant  tree :  the  rough,  heart-shaped  leaves  with  which 
it  is  thickly  clothed,  afford  a  deep  shade  ;  and  it  groups  well 
with  the  lime,  the  catalpa,  and  many  other  round-headed 
trees.  We  consider  it,  therefore,  duly  entitled  to  a  place 
in  all  extensive  plantations  ;  while  the  pleasant  flavor  of 
its  slightly  acid,  dark  red  fruit,  will  recommend  it  to  those 
who  wish  to  add  to  the  delicacies  of  the  dessert.  The 
timber  of  our  wild  mulberry  tree  is  of  the  very  first  quality  , 
when  fully  seasoned,  it  takes  a  dull  lemon-colored  hue,  and 
is  scarcely  less  durable  than  the  locust  or  Live  oak.  Like 
those  trees,  it  is  much  valued  by  ship-builders  ;  and  at 
Philadelphia  and  Baltimore  it  commands  a  high  price,  for 
the  frame-work,  knees,  floor-timbers,  and  tree-nails  of 
vessels.    The  Red  mulberry  is  much  slower  in  its  growth 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


185 


than  the  locust ;  but  so  far  as  we  are  aware  it  is  not  liable 
to  the  attacks  of  any  insect  destructive  to  its  timber  ;  and 
it  would  probably  be  found  profitable  to  cultivate  it  as  a 
timber  tree.  The  locust,  it  will  be  remembered,  grows 
thriftily  only  on  peculiar  soils,  loose,  dry,  and  mellow  ;  the 
Red  mulberry  prefers  deep,  moist,  and  rich  situations.  No 
extensive  experiments,  so  far  as  we  can  learn,  have  been 
made  in  its  culture ;  but  we  would  recommend  it  to  the 
particular  attention  of  those  who  have  facilities  for  planta 
tions  of  this  kind. 

The  Black  mulberry  of  Europe  (Moms  nigra)*is  a  low, 
slow-growing  tree,  with  rough  leaves,  somewhat  resembling 
those  of  our  Red  mulberry,  but  more  coarsely  serrated,  and 
often  found  divided  into  four  or  five  lobes  ;*while  the  leaves, 
which  are  not  heart-shaped  on  our  nat've  species,  are  gene* 
rally  three-lobed.  The  European  mulberry  bears  a  fruit 
four  or  five  times  as  large  as  the  American,  full  of  rich., 
sweet  juice.  It  has  long  been  a  favorite  in  England,  and 
is  one  of  the  most  healthy  and  delicious  fruits  of  the  season, 
Glover  says : 

 "  There  the  flushing  peach, 

The  apple,  citron,  almond,  pear,  and  date, 
Pomegranates,  purple  mulberry,  and  fig, 
From  interlacing  branches  mix  their  hues 
And  scents,  the  passengers'  delight." 

Leonid.  B.  II. 

We  regret  that  so  excellent  a  fruit  should  be  so  little 
cultivated  here.    It  succeeds  extremely  well  in  the  middle 

*  Further  experience  has  shown,  that  this  tree  is  not  to  be  depended  upon, 
at  least  as  far  north  as  the  middle  portion  of  the  Hudson  Eiver.  An  admirable 
substitute  for  the  fruit,  is  Downing's  Seedling  Mulberry,  raised  some  years  ago 
by  Mr.  Charles  Downing,  of  Newburgh,  and  while  being  an  excellent  fruit, 
has,  we  believe,  the  additional  merit  of  being  ever-bearing.—  H.  W.  S. 


ISG 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


states  ;  and  as  it  ripens  at  the  very  period  in  midsummei 
when  fruits  are  scarcest,  there  can  be  no  more  welcome 
addition  to  our  pomonal  treasures,  than  its  deep  purple  and 
luscious  berries.  According  to  Loudon,  it  is  a  tree  of  great 
durability  ;  in  proof  of  which  he  quotes  a  specimen  at  Sion 
House,  300  years  old,  which  is  supposed  to  have  been 
planted  in  the  16th  century  by  the  botanist  Turner. 

The  White  mulberry  (M.  alba)  is  the  species  upon  the 
leaves  of  which  the  silkworms  are  fed.  The  fruit  is  insipid 
and  tasteless,  and  the  tree  is  but  little  cultivated  to  embellish 
ornamental  plantations,  though  one  of  the  most  useful  in 
the  world,  when 'its  importance  in  the  production  of  silk  is 
taken  into  account.  There  are  a  great  number  of  varieties 
of  this  species  to  be  found  in  the  different  nurseries  and  silk 
plantations  ;  among  them  the  Chinese  mulberry  (M.  multi- 
caulis)  grows  rapidly,  but  scarcely  forms  more  than  a  large 
shrub  at  the  north ;  and  its  very  large,  tender,  and  soft 
green  foliage  is  interesting  in  a  large  collection.  The  fruit 
is,  we  believe,  of  no  importance  ;  but  it  is  the  "most  valuable 
of  all  mulberries  as  food  for  the  silkworm,  while  its  growth 
is  the  most  vigorous,  and  its  leaves  more  easily  gathered 
than  those  of  any  other  tree  of  the  genus. 


The  Paper  Mulberry  Tree.  Broussonetia. 

Nat.  Ord.    Urticacece.  Lin.  Syst.    Dioecia,  Tetrandria. 

The  Paper  mulberry  is  an  exotic  tree  of  a  low  growth; 
rarely  exceeding  twenty-five  or  thirty  feet,  indigenous  to 
Japan  and  the  South  Sea  Islands,  but  very  common  in  our 
gardens.  It  is  remarkable  for  the  great  variety  of  forms 
exhibited  in  its  foliage  ;  as  upon  young  trees  it  is  almost 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


187 


impossible  to  find  two  exactly  alike,  though  the  prevailing 
outlines  are  either  heart-shaped,  or  more  or  less  deeply  cut 
or  lobed.  These  leaves  are  considered  valueless  for  feed- 
ing the  silkworm  ;  but  in  the  South  Seas  the  bark  is  woven 
into  dresses  worn  by  the  females ;  and  in  China  and  Japan 
extensive  use  is  made  of  it  in  the  manufacture  of  a  paper 
of  the  softest  and  most  beautiful  texture.  This  is  fabricated 
from  the  inner  bark  of  the  young  shoots,  which  is  first  boiled 
to  a  soft  pulp,  and  then  submitted  to  processes  greatly 
similar  to  those  performed  in  our  paper-mills.  This  tree 
blossoms  in  spring  and  ripens  its  fruit  in  the  month  of 
August.  The  latter  is  dark  scarlet,  and  quite  singular  and 
ornamental,  though  of  no  value.  The  genus  is  dioecious  ; 
and  the  reason  why  so  few  fruit-bearing  trees  are  seen  in 
the  United  States,  is  because  we  generally  cultivate  only 
one  of  the  sexes,  the  female.  M.  Parmentier,  however,  who 
introduced  the  male  plant  from  Europe,  disseminated  it  in 
several  parts  of  the  country  ;  and  the  beauty  of  the  tree 
has  thereby  been  augmented  by  the  interest  which  it 
possesses  when  laden  with  its  long,  hairy  berries. 

The  value  of  the  Paper  mulberry,  in  ornamental  planta- 
tions, arises  from  its  exotic  look,  as  compared  with  other 
trees,  from  the  singular  diversity  of  its  foliage,  the  beauty 
of  its  reddish  berries,  and  from  the  rapidity  of  its  growth. 
It  is  deficient  in  hardiness  for  a  colder  climate  than  that  of 
New  York  ;  but  further  south  it  is  considerably  esteemed 
as  a  shade-tree  for  lining  the  side-walks  in  cities.  In  win- 
ter its  light  fawn  or  ash-colored  bark,  mottled  with  patches 
of  a  darker  grey,  contrasts  agreeably  with  other  trees.  It 
has  little  picturesque  beauty,  and  should  never  be  planted 
in  quantities,  but  only  in  scattered  specimens,  to  give 
interest  and  variety  to  a  walk  in  the  lawn  or  shrubbery. 


188 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


The  Sweet  Gum  Tree.  Liquidambar. 

Nat.  Ord.    Platanaceas.  Lin.  Syst.    Monoecia,  Polyandria. 

According  to  Michaux,*  the  Sweet  gum  is  one  of  our 
most  extensively  diffused  trees.  On  the  seashore  it  is  seen 
as  far  north  as  Portsmouth ;  and  it  extends  as  far  south  as 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  the  Isthmus  of  Darien.  In  many 
of  the  southern  states  it  is  one  of  the  commonest  trees  of  the 
forest ;  it  is  rarely  seen,  however,  along  the  banks  of  the 
Hudson  (except  in  New  Jersey),  or  other  large  streams  of 
New  York.  It  is  not  unlike  the  maple  in  general  appear- 
ance, and  its  palmate,  five-lobed  leaves  are  in  outline  much 
like  the  Sugar  maple,  though  darker  in  color  and  firrrler  in 
texture.  It  may  also  be  easily  distinguished  from  that  tree, 
by  the  curious  appearance  of  its  secondary  branches,  which 
have  a  peculiar  roughness,  owing  to  the  bark  attaching 
itself  in  plates  edgewise  to  the  trunk,  instead  of  laterally,  as 
in  the  usual  manner.  The  fruit  is  globular,  somewhat 
resembling  that  of  the  buttonwood,  but  much  rougher,  and 
bristling  with  points.  The  male  and  female  catkins  appear 
on  different  branches  of  the  same  tree  early  in  spring. 

This  tree  grows  in  great  perfection  in  the  forests  of  New 
Spain.  It  was  first  described  by  a  Spanish  naturalist,  Dr. 
Hernandez,  who  observed  that  a  fragrant  and  transparent 
gum  issued  from  its  trunk  in  that  country,  to  which,  from 
its  appearance,  he  gave  the  name  of  liquid  amber.  This  is 
now  the  common  name  of  the  tree  in  Europe  ;  and  the  gum 
is  at  present  an  article  of  export  from  Mexico,  being  chiefly 
valued  in  medicine  as  a  styptic,  and  for  its  healing  and 
balsamic  properties.    "  This  substance,  which  in  the  shops 

*  N.  A.  Sylva,  i.  315. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


189 


is  sometimes  called  the  white  balsam  of  Peru,  or  liquid 
storax,  is,  when  it  first  issues  from  the  tree,  perfectly  liquid 
and  clear,  white,  with  a  slight  tinge  of  yellow,  quite  bal- 
samic ;  and  having  a  most  agreeable  fragrance,  resembling 
that  of  ambergris  or  styrax.  It  is  stimulant  and  aromatic, 
and  has  long  been  used  in  France  as  a  perfume,  especially 
for  gloves."*  In  the  middle  states  a  fragrant  substance 
sometimes  exudes  from  the  leaves,  and,  by  incision,  small 
quantities  of  the  gum  may  be  procured  from  the  trunk ;  but 
a  warmer  climate  appears  to  be  necessar}'  to  its  production 
in  considerable  quantities. 

We  hardly  know  a  more  beautiful  tree  than  the  Liquid 
amber  in  every  stage  of  its  growth,  and  during  every  season 
of  the  year.  Its  outline  is  not  picturesque  or  graceful,  but 
simply  beautiful,  more  approaching  that  of  the  maple  than 
any  other :  it  is,  therefore,  a  highly  pleasing,  round-headed 
or  tapering  tree,  which  unites  and  harmonizes  well  with 
almost  any  others  in  composition  ;  but  the  chief  beauty  lies 
in  the  foliage.  During  the  whole  of  the  summer  months 
it  preserves,  unsoiled,  that  dark  glossy  freshness  which  is 
so  delightful  to  the  eye  ;  while  the  singular,  regularly  palmate 
form  of  the  leaves  readily  distinguishes  it  from  the  common 
trees  of  a  plantation.  But  in  autumn  it  assumes  its  gayest 
livery,  and  is  decked  in  colors  almost  too  bright  and  vivid 
for  foliage  ;  forming  one  of  the  most  brilliant  objects  in 
American  scenery  at  that  period  of  the  year.  The  pre- 
vailing tint  of  the  foliage  is  then  a  deep  purplish  red,  unlike 
any  symptom  of  decay,  and  quite  as  rich  as  is  commonly 
seen  in  the  darker  blossoms  of  a  Dutch  parterre.  This  is 
sometimes  varied  by  a  shade  deeper  or  lighter,  and  occa- 
sionally an  orange  tint  is  assumed.    When  planted  in  the 

*  Arboretum  Brit.  2051. 


190 


LANDSt  APE  GARDENING 


neighborhood  of  our  fine  maples,  ashes,  and  other  trees 
remarkable  for  their  autumnal  coloring,  the  effect,  in  a 
warm,  dry  autumn,  is  almost  magical.  Whoever  has 
travelled  through  what  are  called  the  pine  barrens  of  New 
Jersey  in  such  a  season,  must  have  been  struck  with  the 
gay  tints  of  the  numberless  forest  trees,  which  line  the 
roads  through  those  sandy  plains,  and  with  the  conspicuous 
beauty  of  the  Sweet  gum,  or  Liquidamber. 

The  bark  of  this  tree  when  full  grown,  or  nearly  so,  is 
exceedingly  rough  and  furrowed,  like  that  of  the  oak.  The 
wood  is  fine-grained,  and  takes  a  good  polish  in  cabinet 
work ;  though  it  is  not  so  durable,  nor  so  much  esteemed 
for  such  purposes,  as  that  of  the  Black  walnut  and  some 
other  native  trees.  The  average  height  of  full  grown  trees' 
is  about  35  or  40  feet. 

Liquidambar  styraciflua  is  the  only  North  American 
species.  It  grows  most  rapidly  in  moist  or  even  wet  situa- 
tions, though  it  will  accommodate  itself  to  a  drier  soil. 


The  Walnut  Tree.  Juglans. 
Nat.  Ord.    Juglandaceae.  Lin.  Syst.    Moncecia,  Polyandna. 

The  three  trees  which  properly  come  under  this  head 
and  belong  to  the  genus  Juglans,  are  the  Black  walnut,  the 
European  walnut,  and  the  Butternut. 

The  Black  walnut  is  one  of  the  largest  trees  of  our  native 
forests.  In  good  soils  it  often  attains  a  stature  of  60  or  70 
feet,  and  a  diameter  of  three  or  four  feet  in  the  trunk,  with 
a  corresponding  amplitude  of  branches.  The  leaves,  about 
a  foot  or  eighteen  inches  in  length,  are  composed  of  six  or 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


191 


eight  pairs  of  opposite  leaflets,  terminated  by  an  odd  one 
They  contain  a  very  strong  aromatic  odor,  which  is  emitted 
plentifully  when  they  are  bruised.  The  large  nut,  always 
borne  on  the  extremity  of  the  young  shoots,  is  round,  and 
covered  with  a  thick  husk  ;  which,  instead  of  separating 
into  pieces,  and  falling  off  like  those  of  the  hickory,  rots 
away  and  decays  gradually.  The  kernel  of  the  Black 
walnut,  too  well  known  to  need  any  description  here,  is 
highly  esteemed,  and  is  even  considered  by  some  persons 
to  possess  a  finer  flavor  than  a-ny  other  walnut. 

The  timber  of  this  tree  is  very  valuable  :  when  well  sea- 
soned it  is  as  durable  as  the  White  oak,  and  is  less  liable 
to  the  attacks  of  sea-worms,  etc.,  than  almost  any  other;  it 
is,  therefore,  highly  esteemed  in  naval  architecture  for 
certain  purposes.  But  its  great  value  is  in  cabinet  work. 
Its  color,  when  exposed  to  the  air,  is  a  fine,  rich,  dark 
brown,  beautifully  veined  in  certain  parts  ;  and  as  it  takes 
a  brilliant  polish,  it  is  coming  into  general  use  in  the 
United  States  for  furniture,  as  well  as  for  the  interiol 
finishing  of  houses. 

The  Black  walnut  has  strong  claims  upon  the  Landscape 
Gardener,  as  it  is  one  of  the  grandest  and  most  massive 
trees  which  he  can  employ.  When  full  grown  it  is  scarcely 
inferior  in  the  boldness  of  its  ramification  or  the  amplitude 
of  its  head  to  the  oak  or  chestnut ;  and  what  it  lacks  in 
spirited  outline  when  compared  with  those  trees,  is  fully 
compensated,  in  our  estimation,  by  its  superb  and  heavy 
masses  of  foliage,  which  catch  and  throw  off*  the  broad 
lights  and  shadows  in  the  finest  manner.  When  the  Black 
walnut  stands  alone  on  a  deep  fertile  soil  it  becomes  a  truly 
majestic  tree  :  and  its  lower  branches  often  sweep  the 
ground  in  a  graceful  curve,  which  gives  additional  beauty 
to  its  whole  expression.    It  is  admirably  adapted  to  exten- 


192 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


sive  lawns,  parks,  or  plantations,  where  there  is  no  want 
of  room  for  the  attainment  of  its  full  size  and  fair  propor- 
tions. Its  rapid  growth  and  umbrageous  foliage  also 
recommend  it  for  wide  public  streets  and  avenues. 

The  European  walnut  (/.  regid)*  or,  as  it  is  generally 
termed  here,  the  Madeira  nut,  is  one  of  the  most  common 
cultivated  trees  of  Europe,  where  it  was  introduced  origi- 
nally from  Persia.  It  differs  from  our  Black  walnut  (which, 
however,  it  much  resembles)  in  the  smooth,  grey  bark  of 
the  stem,  the  leaves  composed  of  three  or  four  pair  of 
leaflets,  and  in  the  very  thin-shelled  fruit,  which,  though 
not  exceeding  the  Black  walnut  in  size,  yet  ccntains  a 
much  larger  kernel,  which  is  generally  considered  more 
delicate  in  flavor.  In  the  interior  of  France  orchards  of 
the  walnut  are  planted,  and  a  considerable  commerce  is 
carried  on  in  its  products,  consisting  chiefly  of  the  fruit,  of 
which  large  quantities  are  consumed  in  all  parts  of  Europe. 
The  wood  is  greatly  used  in  the  manufacture  of  gun-stocks, 
and  in  cabinet-making  (though  it  is  much  inferior  to  the 
American  walnut  for  this  purpose)  ;  and  the  oil  extracted 
from  the  kernel  is  in  high  estimation  for  mixing  with  deli- 
cate colors  used  in  painting  and  other  purposes. 

The  European  walnut  is  a  noble  tree  in  size,  and  thickly 
clad  in  foliage.  It  is  much  esteemed  as  a  shade  tree  by  the 
Dutch  ;  and  Evelyn,  who  is  an  enthusiastic  admirer  of  its 
beauties,  mentions  their  fondness  for  this  tree  as  in  the  high- 
est degree  praiseworthy.  "  The  Bergstras  [Bergstrasse], 
which  extends  from  Heidelberg  to  Darmstadt,  is  all  planted 
with  walnuts  ;  for  as  by  an  ancient  law  the  Borderers  were 
obliged  to  nurse  up  and  take  care  of  them,  and  that  chiefly 
for  their  ornament  and  shade,  so  as  a  man  may  ride  for 

*  (Juglans  laciniata),  Cutleaf  Walnut,  is  a  new  and  curious  variety,  with 
large  scalloped  leaves. — 11.  W.  S. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


193 


many  miles  about  that  country  under  a  continual  arbor  or 
close  walk, — the  traveller  both  refreshed  with  the  fruit  and 
shade.  How  much  such  public  plantations  improve  the 
glory  and  wealth  of  a  nation !  In  several  places  betwixt 
Hanau  and  Frankfort  in  Germany,  no  young  farmer  is 
permitted  to  marry  a  wife  till  he  bring  proof  that  he  hath 
planted,  and  is  the  father  of  a  stated  number  of  walnut 
trees."* 

The  nuts  are  imported  into  this  country  in  great 
quantities  ;  and  as  they  are  chiefly  brought  from  Spain 
and  the  Madeiras,  they  are  here  almost  entirely  known  by 
the  name  of  the  Madeira  nut.  The  tree  is  but  little 
cultivated  among  us,  though  highly  deserving  more 
extensive  favor,  both  on  account  of  its  value  and  beauty. 
It  grows  well  in  the  climate  of  the  middle  states,  and  bears 
freely ;  a  specimen  eighteen  or  twenty  years  old,  in  the 
garden  of  the  author,  has  reached  thirty-five  feet  in  height, 
and  bears  two  or  three  bushels  of  fine  fruit  annually ;  from 
which  we  have  already  propagated  several  hundred 
individuals.    It  is  not  perfectly  hardy  north  of  this. 

As  an  ornamental  tree,  Gilpin  remarks,  that  the  warm 
russet  hue  of  its  young  foliage  makes  a  pleasing  variety 
among  the  vivid  green  of  other  trees,  about  the  end  of 
May ;  and  the  same  variety  is  maintained  in  summer,  by 
the  contrast  of  its  yellowish  hue,  when  mixed  in  any 
quantity  with  trees  of  a  darker  tint.  It  stands  best  alone, 
as  the  early  loss  of  its  foliage  is  then  of  less  consequence, 
and  its  ramification  is  generally  beautiful. 

The  Butternut  (/.  cathartica)  belongs  to  this  section, 
and  is  chiefly  esteemed  for  its  fruit,  which  abounds  in  oil, 
and  is  very   rich  and    sweet.    The  foliage  somewhat 

*  Hunter's  Evelyn,  p.  168. 
13 


194 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


resembles  that  of  the  Black  walnut,  though  the  leaflets  are 
smaller  and  narrower.  The  form  of  the  nut,  however,  is 
strikingly  different,  being  oblong,  oval,  and  narrowed  to  a 
point  at  the  extremity.  Unlike  the  walnut,  the  husk  is 
covered  with  a  sticky  gum,  and  the  surface  of  the  nut  is 
much  rougher  than  any  other  of  the  walnut  genus.  The 
bark  of  the  butternut  is  grey,  and  the  tops  of  old  trees 
generally  have  a  flattened  appearance.  It  is  frequently 
an  uncouth  ill-shapen,  and  ugly  tree  in  form,  though 
occasionally,  also,  quite  striking  and  picturesque.  And  it 
is  well  worthy  of  a  place  for  the  excellence  of  its  fruit.* 


The  Hickory  Tree.  Carya. 

Nat.  Ord.    Juglandaceae.       Lin.  Syst.    Moncecia,  Polyandria. 

The  hickories  are  fine  and  lofty  North  American  trees, 
highly  valuable  for  their  wood,  and  the  excellent  fruit 
borne  by  some  of  the  species.  The  timber  is  extremely 
elastic,  and  very  heavy,  possessing  great  strength  and 
tenacity.  It  is  not  much  employed  in  architecture,  as  it  is 
peculiarly  liable  to  the  attacks  of  worms,  and  decays 
quickly  when  exposed  to  moisture.  But  it  is  very  exten- 
sively employed  for  all  purposes  requiring  great  elasticity 
and  strength  ;  as  for  axletrees,  screws,  the  wooden  rings 
used  upon  the  rigging  of  vessels,  whip-handles,  and  axe- 

*  Loudon  errs  greatly  in  his  Arboretum,  in  supposing  the  butternut  to  be 
identical  with  the  Black  walnut  :  no  trees  in  the  whole  American  forest  are 
more  easily  distinguished  at  first  sight.  He  also  states  the  fruit  to  be  rancid 
and  of  little  value  ;  but  no  American  lad  of  a  dozen  years  will  accord  with 
him  in  this  opin  on. 


DECIDUOUS   ORN AiMENTAL  TREES. 


handles  ;  and  an  immense  quantity  of  the  young  poles  avre 
employed  in  the  manufacture  of  hoops,  for  which  they 
are  admirably  adapted. 

For  fuel,  no  American  wood  is  equal  to  this  in  the 
brilliancy  with  which  it  burns,  or  in  the  duration  or  amount 
of  heat  given  out  by  it :  it  therefore  commands  the  highest 
price  in  market  for  that  purpose. 

The  hickories  are  nearly  allied  to  the  walnuts ;  the 
chief  botanical  distinction  consisting  in  the  covering  to 
the  nut,  or  husk  ;  which  in  the  hickories  separates  into 
four  valves,  or  pieces,  when  ripe,  instead  of  adhering  in  a 
homogeneous  coat,  as  upon  the  Black  walnut  and  butter- 
nut. In  size  and  appearance,  the  hickories  rank  with  the 
first  class  of  forest  trees  ;  most  of  them  growing 
vigorously  to  the  height  of  GO  or  80  feet,  with  fine  straight 
trunks,  well  balanced  and  ample  heads,  and  handsome, 
lively,  pinnated  foliage.  When  confined  among  other 
trees  in  the  forest,  they  shoot  up  50  or  60  feet  without 
branches ;  but  when  standing  singly,  they  expand  into  a 
fine  head  near  the  ground  and  produce  a  noble,  lofty 
pyramid  of  foliage,  rather  rounded  at  the  top.  They  have 
all  the  qualities  which  are  necessary  to  constitute  fine, 
graceful  park  trees,  and  are  justly  entitled  to  a  place  in 
every  considerable  plantation. 

The  most  ornamental  species  are  the  Shellbark  hickory, 
the  Pignut,  and  the  Pecan-nut.  The  former  and  the  latter 
produce  delicious  nuts,  and  are  highly  worthy  of 
cultivation  for  their  fruit  alone  ;  while  all  of  them  assume 
very  handsome  shapes  during  every  stage  of  their  growth, 
and  ultimately  become  noble  trees.  Varieties  of  the 
Shellbark  hickory  are  sometimes  seen  producing  nuts  oi 
twice  or  thrice  the  ordinary  size  ;  and  we  have  not  the 
least  doubt  that  the  fruit  might  be  so  improved  in  size  and 


196 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


delicacy  of  flavor  by  careful  cultivation,  as  greatly  to 
surpass  the  European  walnut,  for  the  table.  This  result 
will  probably  be  attained  by  planting  the  nuts  of  the  finest 
varieties  found  in  our  woods,  in  rich  moist  soil,  kept  in 
high  cultivation  ;  as  all  improved  varieties  of  fruit  have 
been  produced  in  this  way,  and  not,  as  many  suppose,  by 
cultivating  the  original  species.  These  remarks  also 
apply  to  the  Pecan-nut ;  a  western  sort,  which  thrives  well 
in  the  middle  states,  and  which  produces  a  nut  more 
delicate  in  flavor  than  any  other  of  this  continent. 

These  trees  form  strong  tap-roots,  and  are,  therefore, 
somewhat  difficult  to  transplant  ;  but  they  are  easily 
reared  from  the  nut ;  and,  for  the  reason  stated  above,  this 
method  should  be  adopted  in  preference  to  any  other, 
except  in  particular  cases. 

The  principal  species  of  the  hickory  are  the  following : 

The  Shellbark  hichory  (C.  alba),  so  called  on  account 
of  the  roughness  of  its  bark,  which  is  loosened  from  the 
trunk  in  long  scales  or  pieces,  bending  outwards  at  the 
extremity,  and  remaining  attached  by  the  middle  ;  this 
akes  place,  however,  only  on  trees  of  some  size.  The 
eaves  are  composed  of  two  pair  of  leaflets,  with  an  odd  or 
terminal  one.  The  scales  which  cover  the  buds  of  the 
Shellbark  in  winter,  adhere  only  to  the  lower  half,  while 
the  upper  half  of  the  bud  is  left  uncovered,  by  which  this 
sort  is  readily  distinguished  from  the  other  species.  The 
hickory  nuts  of  our  markets  are  the  product  of  this  tree ; 
they  are  much  esteemed  in  every  part  of  the  Union,  and 
are  exported  in  considerable  quantities  to  Europe.  Among 
many  of  the  descendants  of  the  original  Dutch  settlers  of 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


197 


New  York  and  New  Jersey,  the  fruit  is  commonly  known 
by  the  appellation  of  the  Risky -torn  nut* 

The  Pecan-nut  (Pacainer  of  the  French),  (C  olivcefor- 
mis)  is  found  only  in  the  western  states.  It  abounds  on 
the  Missouri,  Arkansas,  Wabash,  and  Illinois  Rivers,  and 
a  portion  of  the  Ohio  :  Michaux  states  that  there  is  a 
swamp  of  800  acres  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Ohio, 
opposite  the  Cumberland  river,  entirely  covered  with  it. 
It  is  a  handsome,  stately  tree,  about  60  or  70  feet  in  height, 
with  leaves  a  foot  or  eighteen  inches  long,  composed  of 
six  or  seven  pairs  of  leaflets  much  narrower  than  those 
of  our  hickories.  The  nuts  are  contained  in  a  thin, 
somewhat  four- sided  husk ;  they  are  about  an  inch  or  an 
inch  and  a  half  long,  smooth,  cylindrical,  and  thin-shelled. 
The  kernel  is  not,  like  most  of  the  hickories,  divided  by 
partitions,  and  it  has  a  very  delicate  and  agreeable  flavor. 
They  form  an  object  of  petty  commerce  between  Upper 
and  Lower  Louisiana.  From  New  Orleans,  they  are 
exported  to  the  West  Indies,  and  to  the  ports  of  the 
United  States,  f 

Besides  these  two  most  valuable  species,  our  forests 
produce  the  Pignut  hickory  (C  porcind),  a  lofty  tree  with 
five  to  seven  pairs  of  leaflets,  so  called  from  the  compara 
tive  worthlessness  of  its  fruit ;  which  is  very  thick-shelled, 
and  generally  is  left  on  the  ground  for  the  swine,  squirrels, 
etc.,  to  devour.  It  is  easily  distinguished  in  winter  by  the 
smaller  size  of  its  brown  shoots,  and  its  small  oval  buds. 
Its  wood  is  considered  the  toughest  and  strongest  of  any 
of  the  trees  of  this  section.    The  thick  Shellbark  hickory 

*  In  some  parts,  pleasant  social  parties  which  meet  at  stated  times  during 
the  winter  season,  are  called  Kisky-toms,  from  the  regular  appearance  of  thc?$ 
nuts  among  the  refreshments  of  the  evening. 

IN.  A.  Sylva,  i.  1G8. 


198 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


(C.  laciniosa)  resembles  much  in  size  and  appearance  the 
common  Shellbark ;  but  the  nuts  are  double  the  size,  the 
shell  much  ticker  and  yellowish,  while  that  of  the  latter 
is  white.  It  is  but  little  known  except  west  of  the 
Alleghanies.  The  Mockernut  hickory  (C.  tomentosa)  is 
so  called  from  the  deceptive  appearance  of  the  nuts, 
which  are  generally  of  large  size,  but  contain  only  a  very 
small  kernel.  The  leaves  are  composed  of  but  four  pairs 
of  sessile  leaflets,  with  an  odd  one  at  the  end.  The  trunk 
of  the  old  trees  is  very  rugged,  and  the  wood  is  one  of  the 
best  for  fuel. 

The  Bitternut  hickory  (C  amara),  sometimes  called  the 
White  hickory,  grows  60  feet  high  in  New  Jersey.  The 
husk  which  covers  the  nut  of  this  species,  has  four  winged 
appendages  on  its  upper  half,  and  never  hardens  like  the 
other  sorts,  but  becomes  soft  and  decays.  The  shell  is 
thin,  but  the  kernel  is  so  bitter  that  even  the  squirrels 
refuse  to  eat  it.  The  Water  Bitternut  (C.  aquatica)  is  a 
very  inferior  sort,  growing  in  the  swamps  and  rice  fields 
of  the  southern  states.  The  leaflets  are  serrated,  and 
resemble  in  shape  the  leaves  of  the  peach  tree.  Both  the 
fruit  and  timber  are  much  inferior  to  those  of  all  the  other 
hickories. 


The  Mountain  Ash  Tree.  Pyrus* 
Nat.  Ord.    Rosaceae.  Lin.  Syst.    Icosandria,  Di-Pentagynia. 

The  European  Mountain  ash  (Pyrus  aucuparia)  is  an 
elegant  tree  of  the  medium  size,  with  an  erect  stem, 

*  Sorbus  of  the  old  Botanists. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


199 


smooth  bark,  and  round  head.  The  leaves  are  pinnated, 
four  or  five  inches  in  length,  and  slightly  resemble  those 
of  the  ash.  The  snow-white  flowers  are  produced  in  large 
flat  clusters,  in  the  month  of  May,  which  are  thickly 
scattered  over  the  outer  surface  of  the  tree,  and  give  it  & 
lively  appearance.  These  are  succeeded  by  numerou? 
bunches  of  berries,  which  in  autumn  turn  to  a  brilliant 
scarlet,  and  are  then  highly  ornamental.  For  the  sake  of 
these  berries,  this  tree  is  a  great  favorite  with  birds  ;  and 
iii  Germany  it  is  called  the  Vogel  Beerbaum,  i.  e.  bird's 
berry  tree,  and  is  much  used  by  bird  catchers  to  bait  their 
springs  with. 

Twenty-five  feet  is  about  the  average  height  of  the 
Mountain  ash  in  this  country.  Abroad  it  grows  more 
vigorously  ;  and  in  Scotland,  where  it  is  best  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Roan  or  Rowan  tree,  it  sometimes  reaches  the 
altitude  of  35  or  40  feet.  The  lower  classes  throughout 
the  whole  of  Britain,  for  a  long  time  attributed  to  its 
branches  the  power  of  being  a  sovereign  charm  against 
witches  ;  and  Sir  Thomas  Lauder  informs  us  that  this 
superstition  is  still  in  existence  in  many  parts  of  the  High- 
lands, as  well  as  in  Wales.  It  is  probable  that  this  tree 
was  a  groat  favorite  with  the  Druids ;  for  it  is  often  seen 
growing  near  their  ancient  mystical  circles  of  stones.  The 
dairymaid,  in  many  parts  of  England,  still  preserves  the  old 
custom  of  driving  her  cows  to  pasture  with  a  switch  of  the 
roan  tree,  which  she  believes  has  the  power  to  shield  them 
from  all  evil  spells.*  "Evelyn  mentions  that  it  is  cus- 
tomary in  Wales  to  plant  this  tree  in  churchyards  ;  and 
Miss  Kent  in  her  Sylvan  Sketches,  makes  the  following 
remarks  : — '  In  former  times  this  tree  was  supposed  to  be 

*  Lightfoot,  Flora  Scolica. 


200  LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 

possessed  of  the  property  of  driving  away  witches  and  evi] 
spirits  ;  and  this  property  is  alluded  to  in  one  of  the  stanzas 
of  a  very  ancient  song,  called  the  Laidley  Worm  of  Spin- 
dlcton's  Heughs. 

*  Their  spells  were  vain  ;  the  boys  return'd 
To  the  Queen  in  sorrowful  mood, 
Crying  that  "  witches  have  no  power 
Where  there  is  rowan-tree  wood  V* 

"  The  last  line  of  this  stanza  leads  to  the  true  reading  of  a 
stanza  in  Shakspeare's  tragedy  of  Macbeth.  The  sailor's 
wife,  on  the  witch's  requesting  some  chestnuts,  hastily 
answers,  'A  rown-tree,  witch  !' — but  many  of  the  editions 
have  it,  '  aroint  thee,  witch !'  which  is  nonsense,  and  evi- 
dently a  corruption."* 

The  European  Mountain  ash  is  quite  a  favorite  with 
cultivators  here,  and  deservedly  so.  Its  foliage  is  extremely 
neat,  its  blossoms  pretty,  and  its  blazing  red  berries  in 
autumn  communicate  a  cheerfulness  to  the  season,  and 
harmonize  happily  with  the  gay  tints  of  our  native  forest 
trees.  It  is  remarkably  well  calculated  for  small  planta- 
tions or  collections,  as  it  grows  in  almost  any  soil  or  situa- 
tion, takes  but  little  room,  and  is  always  interesting.  "  In 
the  Scottish  Highlands,"  says  Gilpin,  "  on  some  rocky 
mountain  covered  with  dark  pines  and  waving  birch,  which 
cast  a  solemn  gloom  on  the  lake  below,  a  few  Mountain 
ashes  joining  in  a  clump  and  mixing  with  them,  have  a  fine 
effect.  In  summer  the  light  green  tint  of  their  foliage,  and 
in  autumn  the  glowing  berries  which  hang  clustering  upon 
them,  contrast  beautifully  with  the  deeper  green  of  the 
pines  :  and  if  they  are  happily  blended,  and  not  in  too  large 
a  proportion,  they  add  some  of  the  most  picturesque  furni- 

*  Arboretum  et  Frvticetum,  p.  918. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


201 


ture  with  which  the  sides  of  those  rugged  mountains  are 
invested."  We  have  seen  the  Mountain  ash,  here,  display- 
ing itself  in  great  beauty,  mingled  with  a  group  of  hemlocks 
from  among  the  deep  green  foliage  of  which,  the  coral 
berries  of  the  former  seemed  to  shoot  out ;  their  color 
heightened  by  the  dark  back  ground  of  evergreen 
boughs. 

The  American  Mountain  ash  {Pyrus  Americana)  is  a 
native  of  the  mountains  along  the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  and 
other  cold  and  elevated  situations  in  the  north  of  the  United 
States  :  on  the  Catskill  we  have  seen  some  handsome  speci- 
mens near  the  Mountain  House  ;  but  generally  it  does  not 
grow  in  so  comely  a  shape,  or  form  so  handsome  a  tree 
as  the  foreign  sort.  In  the  general  appearance  of  the  leaves 
and  blossoms,  however,  it  so  liearly  resembles  the  European 
as  to  be  thought  merely  a  variety  by  some  botanists.  The 
chief  difference  between  them  appears  to  be  in  the  color 
of  the  fruit,  which  on  our  native  tree  is  copper  colored  or 
dull  purplish  red.  It  may  probably  assume  a  handsome 
shape  when  cultivated. 

The  Sorb  or  Service  tree  {Pyrus  Sorbus)  is  an  interest- 
ing species  of  Pyrus,  a  native  of  Europe,  which  is  sometimes 
seen  in  our  gardens,  and  deserves  a  place  for  its  handsome 
foliage  and  its  clusters  of  fruit ;  which  somewhat  resemble 
those  of  the  Mountain  ash,  and  are  often  eaten  when  in  a 
state  of  incipient  decay.  The  leaves  are  coarser  than  those 
of  the  Mountain  ash,  and  the  tree  is  larger,  often  attaining 
ihe  height  of  50  or  60  feet  in  its  native  soil. 

The  White  Beam  (Pyrus  Aria)  is  another  foreign  species, 
also  bearing  bunches  of  handsome  scarlet  berries,  and  clus- 
ters of  white  flowers.  The  leaves,  however,  are  not  pin- 
nated, but  simply  serrated  on  the  margin.    It  grows  30  feet 


202 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


nigh,  and  as  the  foliage  is  dark  green  on  the  upper  side,  and 
downy  white  beneath,  it  presents  an  effect  greatly  resem- 
bling that  of  the  Silver  poplar  in  a  slight  breeze.  Abroad, 
the  timber  is  considered  valuable ;  but  here  it  is  chiefly 
planted  to  produce  a  pleasing  variety  among  other  trees,  by 
its  peculiar  foliage,  and  scarlet  autumnal  fruit. 

All  the  foregoing  trees  grow  naturally  in  the  highest, 
most  exposed,  and  often  almost  barren  situations.  When, 
however,  a  rapid  growth  is  desired,  they  should  be  planted 
in  a  more  moist  and  genial  soil.  They  are  easily  propagated 
from  the  seed,  and  some  of  the  sorts  may  be  grafted  on  the 
pear  or  hawthorn.  The  seeds,  in  all  cases,  should  be  sown 
in  autumn. 


The  Ailantus  Tree.  Ailantus. 

Nat.  Ord.   XanthoxylaceiE.  Lin.  Syst.   Polygamia,  Moncecia. 

Ailanto  is  the  name  of  this  tree  in  the  Moluccas,  and  is 
said  to  signify  Tree  of  Heaven ;  an  appellation  probably 
bestowed  on  account  of  the  rapidity  of  its  growth,  and  the 
great  height  which  it  reaches  in  the  East  Indies,  its  native 
country.  When  quite  young  it  is  not  unlike  a  sumac  in 
appearance  ;  but  the  extreme  rapidity  of  its  growth  and  the 
great  size  of  its  pinnated  leaves,  four  or  five  feet  long,  soon 
distinguish  it  from  that  shrub.  During  the  first  half  dozen 
years  it  outstrips  almost  any  other  deciduous  tree  in  vigor 
of  growth,  and  we  have  measured  leading  stems  which  had 
grown  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  in  a  single  season.  In  four  or 
five  years,  therefore,  it  forms  quite  a  bulky  head,  but  after 
that,  period  it  advances  more  slowly,  and  in  20  years  would 
probably  be  overtopped  by  the  poplar,  the  plane,  or  any 
other  fast  growing  tree.    There  are,  as  yet,  no  specimens 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


203 


in  this  country  more  than  70  feet  high ;  but  the  trunk  shoots 
up  in  a  tine  column,  and  the  head  is  massy  and  irregular  in 
outline.  In  this  country  it  is  planted  purely  for  ornament, 
but  we  learn  that  in  Europe  its  wood  has  been  applied  tc 
cabinet  work ;  for  which,  from  its  close  grain  and  bright 
satin-like  lustre,  it  is  well  adapted.*  The  male  and  female 
flowers  are  borne  on  separate  trees,  and  both  sexes  are  now 
common,  especially  in  New  York.  The  male  forms  the 
finer  ornamental  tree,  the  female  being  rather  low,  and 
spreading  in  its  head. 

In  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  the  Ailantus  is  more 
generally  known  by  the  name  of  the  Celestial  tree,  and  is 
much  planted  in  the  streets  and  public  squares.  For  such 
situations  it  is  admirably  adapted,  as  it  will  insinuate  its 
strong  roots  into  the  most  meagre  and  barren  soil,  where 
few  other  trees  will  grow,  and  soon  produce  an  abundance 
of  foliage  and  fine  shade.  It  appears  also  to  be  perfectly 
free  from  insects  ;  and  the  leaves,  instead  of  dropping 
slowly,  and  for  a  long  time,  fall  off  almost  immediately 
when  frost  commences. 

The  Ailantus  is  a  picturesque  tree,  well  adapted  to 
produce  a  good  effect  on  the  lawn,  either  singly  or  grouped  ; 
as  its  fine  long  foliage  catches  the  light  well,  and  contrasts 
strikingly  with  that  of  the  round-leaved  trees.  It  has  a 
troublesome  habit  of  producing  suckers,  however,  which 
must  exclude  it  from  every  place  but  a  heavy  sward,  where 
the  surface  of  the  ground  is  never  stirred  by  cultivation. 

The  branches  of  this  tree  are  entirely  destitute  of  the 
small  spray  so  common  on  most  forest  trees,  and  have  a 
singularly  naked  look  in  winter,  well  calculated  to  fix  the 
attention  of  the  spectator  at  that  dreary  season. 


*  Annales  de  la  Societe  d'Horticulture. 


204 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


The  largest  Ailantus  trees  in  America  are  growing 
in  Rhode  Island,  where  it  was  introduced  from  China, 
under  the  name  of  the  Tillou  tree.  It  has  since  been 
rapidly  propagated  by  suckers,  and  is  now  one  of  the 
commonest  ornamental  trees  sold  in  the  nurseries.  The 
finest  trees,  however,  are  those  raised  from  seed* 


The  Kentucky  Coffee  Tree.  Gymnocladus. 

Nat.  Ord.    Leguminosae.      Lin.  Syst.    Diaecia,  Decandria. 

This  unique  tree  is  found  in  the  western  part  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  and  as  far  north  as  Montreal,  in 
Canada.  But  it  is  seen  in  the  greatest  perfection,  in  the 
fertile  bottoms  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  Sixty  feet  is 
the  usual  height  of  the  Coffee  tree  in  those  soils  ;  and 
judging  from  specimens  growing  under  our  inspection,  it 
will  scarcely  fall  short  of  that  altitude,  in  well  cultivated 
situations,  anywhere  in  the  middle  states. 

When  in  full  foliage,  this  is  a  very  beautiful  tree.  The 
whole  leaf,  doubly  compound  and  composed  of  a  great 
number  of  bluish-green  leaflets,  is  generally  three  feet  long, 
and  of  two-thirds  that  width  on  thrifty  trees ;  and  the 
whole  foliage  hangs  in  a  well-rounded  mass,  that  would 
ook  almost  too  heavy,  were  it  not  lightened  in  effect  by 

*  We  think  public  opinion  has  very  much  changed  about  this  tree,  since  the 
early  editions  of  this  work.  Being  then  but  newly  introduced,  and  having  (to 
Americans)  the  very  great  merit  of  growing  with  remarkable  rapidity,  it  was 
very  much  sought  after,  and  is  now,  we  think,  as  universally  neglected.  The 
exceedingly  disagreeable  odor  of  its  flowers  and  young  wood,  and  the  trouble- 
some habit  of  suckering,  have  quite  thrown  it  into  disfavor,  especially  since  its 
place  can  be  now  supplied  by  a  much  more  effective  tree,  from  the  same  coun- 
try (Japan) :  the  Panlownia— growing  with  equal  rapidity,  and  having  an  early 
Spring  bloom,  of  great  beauty  and  sweetness  of  perfume.  —  H.  W.  S. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


205 


the  loose,  tufted  appearance  of  each  individual  leaf.  The 
flowers,  which  are  white,  are  borne  in  loose  spikes,  in 
the  beginning  of  summer ;  and  are  succeeded  by  ample 
brown  pods,  flat  and  somewhat  curved,  which  contain  six 
or  seven  large  grey  seeds,  imbedded  in  a  sweet  pulpy 
substance.  As  the  genus  is  dioecious,  it  is  necessary  that 
both  sexes  of  this  tree  should  be  growing  near  each  other, 
in  order  to  produce  seed. 

When  Kentucky  was  first  settled  by  the  adventurous 
pioneers  from  the  Atlantic  States,  who  commenced  their 
career  in  the  primeval  wilderness,  almost  without  the 
necessaries  of  life,  except  as  produced  by  them  from  the 
fertile  soil,  they  fancied  that  they  had  discovered  a 
substitute  for  coffee  in  the  seeds  of  this  tree,  and 
accordingly  the  name  of  Coffee  tree  was  bestowed  upon 
it :  but  when  a  communication  was  established  with  the 
seaports,  they  gladly  relinquished  their  Kentucky  beverage 
for  the  more  grateful  flavor  of  the  Indian  plant ;  and  no 
use  is  at  present  made  of  it  in  that  manner.  It  has, 
however,  a  fine,  compact  wood,  highly  useful  in  building  o) 
cabinet-work. 

The  Kentucky  Coffee  tree  is  well  entitled  to  a  place  in 
every  collection.  In  summer,  its  charming  foliage  and 
agreeable  flowers  render  it  a  highly  beautiful  lawn  tree  ; 
and  in  winter,  it  is  certainly  one  of  the  most  novel  trees, 
in  appearance,  in  our  whole  native  sylva.  Like  the 
Ailantus,  it  is  entirely  destitute  of  small  spray,  but  it  also 
adds  to  this  the  additional  singularity  of  thick,  blunt, 
terminal  branches,  without  any  perceptible  buds.  Alto- 
gether it  more  resembles  a  dry,  dead,  and  withered 
combination  of  sticks,  than  a  living  and  thrifty  tree. 
Although  this  would  be  highly  monotonous  and  displeasing, 
were  it  ihe  common  appearance  of  our  deciduous  trees 


200  LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 

in  winter  ;  yet,  as  it  is  not  so,  but  a  rare  and  very  unique 
exception  to  the  usual  beautiful  diversity  of  spray  and 
ramification,  it  is  highly  interesting  to  place  such  a  tree  as 
the  present  in  the  neighborhood  of  other  full-sprayed 
species,  where  the  curiosity  which  it  excites  will  add 
greatly  to  its  value  as  an  interesting  object  at  that  period 
of  the  year.* 


[Fig.  33.   The  Kentucky  Coffee  Tree.] 


The  seeds  vegetate  freely,  and  the  tree  is  usually 
propagated  in  that  manner.  It  prefers  a  rich,  strong  soil, 
like  most  trees  of  the  western  states. 

*  There  are  some  very  fi.ie  specimens  upon  the  lawn  at  Dr.  Hosack's  seat 
Hyde  Park,  N.  Y.,  which  have  fruited  for  a  number  of  years.    See  Fig.  33. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


207 


The  Willow  Tree.  Salix. 

Nat.  Ord.    Salicaceas.       Lin.  Syst.    Dicecia,  Diandria. 

A  very  large  genus,  comprising  plants  of  almost  every 
stature,  from  minute  shrubs  of  three  or  four  inches  in 
height,  to  lofty  and  wide-spreading  trees  of  fifty  or  sixty 
feet.*  They  are  generally  remarkable  for  their  narrow 
leaves,  and  slender,  round,  and  flexible  branches. 

There  are  few  of  these  willows  which  are  adapted  ta 
add  to  the  beauty  of  artificial  scenery ;  but  among  them 
are  three  or  four  trees,  which,  from  their  peculiar 
character,  deserve  especial  notice.  These  are  the  Weep, 
ing,  or  Babylonian  willow  (Salix  Babylonica),  the  White, 
or  Huntington  willow  (S.  alba),  the  Golden  willow 
(S.  vitellina),  the  Russell  willow  (S.  Russelliana),  and  the 
profuse  Flowering  willow  (S.  caprea). 

The  above  are  all  foreign  sorts,  which,  however  (except 
the  last),  have  long  ago  been  introduced,  and  are  now 
quite  common  in  the  United  States.  All  of  them  except 
the  first,  have  an  upright  or  wavy,  spreading  growth,  and 
form  lofty  trees,  considerably  valued  abroad  for  their 
timber.  The  White  willow  and  the  Russell  willow  are 
very  rapid  in  their  growth,  and  have  a  pleasing  light  green 
foliage.  The  Golden  willow  is  remarkable  for  its  bright 
yellow  bark,  which  renders  it  quite  ornamental,  even  in 
winter.  It  is  a  middle  sized  tree,  and  is  often  seen 
growing  along;  the  road-sides  in  the  eastern  and  middle 
states.  Salix  caprea  is  deserving  a  place  in  collections 
for  the  beauty  of  its  abundant  blossoms  at  an  early  and 
cheerless  period  in  the  spring. 

*  Dr.  Barratt  of  Middletown,  Conn.,  who  has  paid  great  attention  to  the 
willow,  enumerates  100  species,  as  growing  in  North  America,  eithei 
indigenous  or  introduced. 


208 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


The  chief,  and  indeed  almost  the  only  value  of  these 
willows  in  Landscape  Gardening,  is  to  embellish  low 
grounds,  streams  of  water,  or  margins  of  lakes.  When 
mingled  with  other  trees,  they  often  harmonize  so  badly 
from  their  extremely  different  habits,  foliage,  and  cok>r, 
that  unless  very  sparingly  introduced,  they  cannot  fail  to 
have  a  bad  effect.  On  the  banks  of  streams,  however, 
they  are  extremely  appropriate,  hanging  their  slender 
branches  over  the  liquid  element,  and  drawing  genial 
nourishment  from  the  moistened  soil. 

"  Le  saule  incline  sur  la  rive  penchante, 
Balan^ant  mollement  sa  tete  blanchissante." 

In  the  middle  distance  of  a  scene,  also,  where  a  stream 
winds  partially  hidden,  or  which  might  otherwise  wholly 
escape  the  eye,  these  trees,  if  planted  along  its  course, 
connected  as  they  are  in  our  minds  with  watery  soils,  will 
not  fail  to  direct  the  attention  and  convey  forcibly  the 
impression  of  a  brook  or  river,  winding  its  way  beneath 
their  shade. 

In  landscapes,  the  Weeping  willow  is  peculiarly  express, 
ive  of  grace  and  softness.  Although  a  highly  beautiful 
tree,  great  care  must  be  used  in  its  introduction,  to 
preserve  the  harmony  and  propriety  of  the  whole  ;  as 
nothing  could  be  more  strikingly  inappropriate  than  to 
mtermix  it  frequently  with  trees  expressive  of  dignity  or 
majesty,  as  the  oak,  etc. ;  where  the  violent  contrast 
exhibited  in  the  near  proximity  of  the  two  opposite  forms, 
could  only  produce  discord.  The  favorite  place,  where 
it  is  most  true  to  nature  and  itself,  is  near  water, 
where 

 "  it  dips 

Its  pendent  boughs,  stooping  as  if  to  drink."  Cowper. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


209 


There,  when  properly  introduced,  not  in  too  great  abun- 
dance, hanging  over  some  rustic  bridge,  or  cool  jutting 
spring,  and  supported,  and  brought  into  harmony  with 
surrounding  vegetation  by  such  other  graceful  and  light- 
sprayed  trees  as  the  Birch  and  Weeping  elm,  its  effect  is 
often  surpassingly  beautiful  and  appropriate.  There  it  is 
one  ol  the  first  in  the  vernal  season  to  burst  its  buds,  and 
mirror  its  soft  green  foliage  in  the  flood  beneath,  and  one 
of  the  last  in  autumn  to  yield  its  leafy  vesture  to  the 
chilling  frosts,  or  fitful  gusts  of  approaching  winter. 

We  consider  the  Weeping  willow  ill  calculated  for  a 
place  near  a  mansion  which  has  any  claims  to  size,  mag- 
nificence, or  architectural  beauty ;  as  it  does  not  in  any- 
way contribute  by  its  form  or  outline  to  add  to  or 
strengthen  such  characteristics  in  a  building.  The  only 
place  where  it  can  be  happily  situated  in  this  way,  is  in 
the  case  of  very  humble  or  inconspicuous  cottages,  which 
we  have  seen  much  ornamented  by  being  completely 
hidden,  as  it  were,  beneath  the  soft  veil  of  its  streaming 
foliage. 

There  is  a  very  singular  variety  of  the  Weeping  willow 
cultivated  in  our  gardens,  under  the  name  of  the  Ringlet 
willow ;  which  is  so  remarkable  in  the  form  of  its  foliage, 
and  so  different  from  all  other  trees,  that  it  is  well  worth  a 
place  as  a  curiosity.  Each  leaf  is  curled  round  like  a  ring 
or  hoop,  and  the  appearance  of  a  branch  in  full  foliage  is 
not  unlike  a  thinly  curled  ringlet ;  whence  its  commor 
name.  It  forms  a  neat,  middle-sized  tree,  with  drooping 
branches,  though  hardly  so  pendent  as  the  Weeping 
willow. 

The  uses  of  the  willow  are  extremely  numerous.  Abroad 

it  is  extensively  cultivated  in  coppices,  for  timber  and  fuel, 

14 


210 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


for  hoops,  ties,  etc. ;  and  we  are  informed,  that  in  the  north 
ern  parts  of  Europe,  and  throughout  the  Russian  Empire, 
the  twigs  are  employed  in  manufacturing  domestic  uten- 
sils, harness,  cables,  and  even  for  the  houses  of  the  pea- 
santry themselves.  From  the  fibres  of  the  bark,  it  is  said 
that  a  durable  cloth  is  woven  by  the  Tartars  ;  and  the 
bark  is  used  for  tanning  in  various  parts  of  the  eastern 
continent. 

But  by  far  the  most  extensive  use  to  which  this  plant  is 
applied,  is  in  the  manufacture  of  baskets.  From  the 
earliest  periods  it  has  been  devoted  to  this  purpose,  and 
large  plantations,  or  osier-fields,  as  they  are  called,  are 
devoted  to  the  culture  of  particular  kinds  for  this  purpose, 
both  in  Europe  and  America.  The  common  Basket  willow, 
an  European  species  (S.  viminalis),  is  the  sort  usually 
grown  for  this  purpose,  but  several  others  are  also  employed. 
For  the  culture  of  the  basket  willows,  a  deep,  moist,  though 
not  inundated  soil  is  necessary  ;  such  as  is  generally  found 
on  the  margins  of  small  streams,  or  low  lands.  "  Ropes 
and  baskets  made  from  willow  twigs,  were  probably  among 
the  very  earliest  manufactures,  in  countries  where  these 
trees  abound.  The  Romans  used  the  twigs  for  binding 
their  vines,  and  tying  their  reeds  in  bundles,  and  made  all 
sorts  of  baskets  of  them.  A  crop  of  willows  was  consi- 
dered so  valuable  in  the  time  of  Cato,  that  he  ranks  the 
Salictum,  or  willow  field,  next  in  value  to  the  vineyard 
and  the  garden.    (Art.  Salix.  Arb.  Brit.) 

Among  us,  the  European  Basket  willow  is  extensively 
cultivated,  and  very  large  plantations  are  to  be  seen  in  the 
low  grounds  of  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania.  The  wood 
of  some  of  the  tree  willows,  and  particularly  that  of  the 
Yellow  willow,  and  the  Shining  willow  (S.  lucida),  is 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


211 


greatly  used  in  making  charcoal  for  the  manufacture  of 
gunpowder. 

It  is  almost  unnecessary  to  say  that  all  the  willows  grow 
readily  from  slips  or  truncheons  planted  in  the  ground.  So 
tenacious  of  life  are  they,  that  examples  are  known  where 
small  trees  have  been  taken  up  and  completely  inverted,  by 
planting  the  branches  and  leaving  the  roots  exposed,  which 
have  nevertheless  thrown  out  new  roots  from  the  former 
tops,  and  the  roots  becoming  branches,  the  tree  grew  again 
with  its  ordinary  vigor. 


The  Sassafras  Tree.  Laurus. 

Nat.  Ord.    Lauraceae.       Lin.  Syst.    Enneandria,  Monogynia. 

The  Sassafras  is  a  neat  tree  of  the  middle  size,  belonging 
to  the  same  family  as  the  European  laurel  or  Sweet  bay  ; 
it  is  found,  more  or  less  plentifully,  through  the  whole 
territory  of  the  United  States.  In  favorable  soils,  along 
the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  it  often  grows  to  40  or  50  feet  in 
height ;  but  in  the  woods  it  seldom  reaches  that  altitude. 
The  flowers  are  yellow,  and  appear  in  small  clusters  in 
May,  and  the  fruit  is  a  small,  deep  blue  berry,  seated  on  a 
red  footstalk  or  cup.  The  bark  of  the  wood  and  roots  has 
an  agreeable  smell  and  taste,  and  is  a  favorite  ingredient, 
with  the  branches  of  the  spruce,  in  the  small  beer  made  by 
the  country  people.  Medicinally,  it  is  considered  anti- 
scorbutic and  sudorific ;  and  is  thought  efficacious  in 
purifying  the  blood.  It  was  formerly  in  great  repute  with 
practitioners  abroad,  and  large  quantities  of  the  bark  of 
the  roots  were  shipped  to  England  ;  but  the  demand  has 
of  late  greatlv  decreased. 


212 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


The  Sassafras  is  a  very  agreeable  tree  to  the  eye,  decked 
as  it  is  with  its  glossy,  deep  green,  oval,  or  three-lobed 
leaves.  When  fully  grown,  it  is  also  quite  picturesque  for 
a  tree  of  so  moderate  a  size  ;  as  its  branches  generally  have 
an  irregular,  somewhat  twisted  look,  and  the  head  is 
partially  flattened,  and  considerably  varied  in  outline 
After  ten  years  of  age,  this  tree  always  looks  older  than  it 
really  is,  from  its  rough,  deeply  cracked,  grey  bark,  and 
rather  crooked  stem.  It  often  appears  extremely  well  on 
the  borders  of  a  plantation,  and  mixes  well  with  almost  any 
of  the  heavier  deciduous  trees.  As  it  is  by  no  means  so 
common  a  tree  as  many  of  those  already  noticed,  it  is  gene- 
rally the  more  valued,  and  may  frequently  be  seen  growing 
along  the  edges  of  cultivated  fields  and  pastures,  appearing 
to  thrive  well  in  any  good  mellow  soil. 


The  Catalpa  Tree.  Catalpa. 
Nat.  Ord.    Bignoniacene.       Lin.  Syst.    Diandria,  Monogynia. 

A  native  of  nearly  all  the  states  south  and  west  of  Vir- 
ginia, this  tree  has  become  naturalized  also  throughout  the 
middle  and  eastern  sections  of  the  Union,  where  it  is 
generally  planted  for  ornament. 

In  Carolina  it  is  called  the  Catawba  tree,  after  the 
Catawba  Indians,  a  tribe  that  formerly  inhabited  that 
country ;  aad  it  is  probable  that  the  softer  epithet  now 
generally  bestowed  upon  it  in  the  north,  is  only  a  corrup- 
tion of  that  original  name. 

The  leaves  of  this  tree  are  very  large,  often  measuring 
six  or  seven  inches  broad ;  they  are  heart-shaped  in  form, 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


213 


smooth,  and  pale  green  on  the  upper  side,  slightly  downy 
beneath.  The  blossoms  are  extremely  beautiful,  hanging, 
like  those  of  the  Horse-chestnut,  in  massy  clusters  beyond 
the  outer  surface  of  the  foliage.  The  color  is  a  pure  and 
delicate  white,  and  the  inner  part  of  the  corolla  is 
delicately  sprinkled  over  with  violet,  or  reddish  and  yellow 
spots ;  indeed,  the  individual  beauty  of  the  flowers  is  so 
great  when  viewed  closely,  that  one  almost  regrets  that 
they  should  be  elevated  on  the  branches  of  a  large  forest 
tree.  When  these  fall,  they  are  succeeded  by  bean-like 
capsules  or  seed-vessels,  which  grow  ten  or  twelve  inches 
long,  become  brown,  and  hang  pendent  upon  the  branches 
during  the  greater  part  of  the  winter. 

The  Catalpa  never,  or  rarely,  takes  a  symmetrical  form 
when  growing  up ;  but  generally  forms  a  wide-spreading 
head,  forty  or  fifty  feet  in  diameter.  Its  large  and  abundant 
foliage  affords  a  copious  shade,  and  its  growth  is  quite 
rapid,  soon  forming  a  large  and  bulky  tree.  In  ornamental 
plantations  it  is  much  valued  on  account  of  its  superb  and 
showy  flowers,  and  is  therefore  deserving  a  place  in  every 
lawn.  It  is  generally  seen  to  best  advantage  when 
standing  alone,  but  it  may  also  be  mingled  with  other  large 
round-leaved  trees,  as  the  basswood,  etc.,  when  it  produces 
a  very  pleasing  effect.  The  branches  are  rather  brittle, 
like  those  of  the  locust,  and  are  therefore  somewhat  liable 
to  be  broken  by  the  wind.  Accustomed  to  a  warmer 
climate,  the  leaves  expand  late  in  the  spring,  and  wither 
hastily  when  frost  approaches ;  but  the  soft  tint  of  their 
luxuriant  vegetation  is  very  grateful  to  the  eye,  and  it 
appears  to  be  uninjured  by  the  hottest  rays  of  summer. 
North  of  this  place  the  Catalpa  is  rather  too  tender  for 
exposed  situations. 


214 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


We  have  seen  the  Catalpa  employed  to  great  advantage 
m  fixing  and  holding  up  the  loose  soil  of  river  banks, 
where,  if  planted,  it  will  soon  insinuate  its  strong  roots, 
and  retain  the  soil  firmly.  In  Ohio,  experiments  have 
been  made  with  the  timber  for  the  posts  used  in  fencing ; 
and  it  is  stated  on  good  authority  that  it  is  but  little 
inferior,  when  well  seasoned,  to  that  of  the  locust  in 
durability. 

Michaux  mentions  that  he  has  been  assured  that  the 
honey  collected  from  the  flowers  is  poisonous ;  but  this  we 
are  inclined  to  doubt ;  or  at  least  we  have  witnessed  no  ill 
effects  from  planting  it  in  abundance  in  the  middle  States, 
in  those  neighborhoods  where  bees  are  kept  in  considerable 
numbers. 

The  Catalpa  is  very  easily  propagated  from  seeds  sown 
in  any  light  soil ;  and  the  growth  of  the  young  plants  is 
extremely  rapid.    C.  syringafolia  is  the  only  species.* 


The  Persimon  Tree.  Diospyros. 

Nat.  Ord.    Ebenaceae.  Lin.  Syst.    Polygamia,  Dioecia. 

The  Highlands  of  the  Hudson,  and  about  the  same 
latitude  on  the  Connecticut,  may  be  considered  the 
northern  limits  of  this  small  tree.  It  generally  forms  a 
spreading  loose  head,  of  some  twenty  or  thirty  feet  high, 
in  good  soils  in  the  middle  states  ;  but  we  have  seen  a 

*  This  was  quite  true  when  the  above  chapter  was  written.  Since  when,  we 
have  C,  iunyei,  C.  ticemferi,  and  C.  himmalayensis  —  the  first  two  being 
dwarfs. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


215 


specimen  of  nearly  eighty  feet,  in  the  old  Bartram  Garden 
at  Philadelphia  ;  and  fifty  feet  is  probably  the  average 
growth  on  deep  fertile  lands  in  the  southern  states. 

The  Persimon  bears  a  small,  round,  dull  red  fruit,  about 
an  inch  in  diameter,  containing  six  or  seven  stones  ;  it  is 
insufferably  austere  and  bitter,  until  the  autumnal  frosts  have 
mellowed  it  and  lessened  its  harshness,  when  it  becomes 
quite  palatable.  Considerable  quantities  of  the  fruit  are 
annually  brought  into  New  York  market  and  its  vicinity, 
from  New  Jersey,  and  sold  :  the  produce  is  very  abundant, 
a  single  tree  often  yielding  several  bushels.  A  strong 
brandy  has  been  distilled  from  them  ;  and  in  the  south  they 
are  said  to  enter  into  the  composition  of  the  country  beer. 
For  the  latter  purpose  they  are  pounded  up  with  bran,  dried, 
and  kept  for  use  till  wanted. 

The  foliage  of  the  P.ersimon  is  handsome  ;  the  leaves 
being  four  or  five  inches  long,  simple,  oblong,  dark  green, 
and  glossy,  like  those  of  the  orange.  The  blossoms  are 
green  and  inconspicuous. 

The  Persimon  has  no  importance  as  a  tree  to  recommend 
it ;  but  it  may  be  admitted  in  all  good  collections  for  its 
pleasing  shining  foliage,  and  the  variety  which  its  singular 
fruit  adds  to  the  productions  of  a  complete  country  resi- 
dence. The  common  sort  (D.  Virginiana)  grows  readily 
from  the  seed. 

There  is  an  European  Species  (Dyosporus  Lotus),  with 
yellow  fruit  about  the  size  of  a  cherry,  rather  less  palatable 
than  our  native  kind.  The  specimens  of  this  tree,  which 
we  have  imported,  appear  too  tender  to  bear  our  winters 
unprotected,  so  that  it  will  probably  not  prove  hardy  in  the 
northern  states. 


216 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


The  Peperidge  Tree.  Nyssa. 

Nat.  Old.    Santalaceae.  Lin.  Syst.    Polygamia,  DicEcia. 

The  Peperidge,  Tupelo,  or  sour  gum  tree,  as  it  is  called 
in  various  parts  of  the  Union,  grows  to  a  moderate  size, 
and  is  generally  found  in  moist  situations,  though  we  have 
seen  it  in  New  York  State,  thriving  very  well  in  dry  upland 
soils.  The  diameter  of  the  trunk  is  seldom  more  than 
eighteen  inches,  and  the  general  height  is  about  forty  or 
fifty  feet.  The  flowers  are  scarcely  perceptible,  but  the 
fruit  borne  in  pairs,  is  about  the  size  of  a  pea,  deep  blue, 
and  ripens  in  October. 

The  leaves  are  oval,  smooth,  and  have  a  beautiful  gloss 
on  their  upper  surface.  The  branches  diverge  from  the 
main  trunk  almost  horizontally,  and  sometimes  even  bend 
downwards  like  those  of  some  of  the  Pine  family,  which 
gives  the  tree  a  very  marked  and  picturesque  character. 

The  Peperidge  when  of  moderate  size  is  not  difficult  to 
transplant,  and  we  consider  it  a  very  fine  tree,  both  on 
account  of  its  beautiful,  dark  green,  and  lustrous  foliage  in 
summer,  and  the  brilliant  fiery  color  which  it  takes  when 
the  frost  touches  it  in  autumn.  In  this  respect  it  is  fully 
equal  in  point  of  beauty  to  that  of  the  Liquidambar  or  Sweet 
gum,  and  the  maples  which  we  have  already  described  ; 
and  so  fine  a  feature  do  we  consider  this  autumnal  beauty 
of  foliage  that  we  would  by  all  means  advise  the  introduc- 
tion of  such  trees  as  the  Peperidge  into  the  landscape  for 
that  reason  alone,  were  it  not  also  valuable  for  its  peculiar 
form  and  polished  leaves  in  summer. 

Besides  the  Peperidge  there  are  three  other  Nyssas, 
natives  of  this  continent,  viz.  the  Black  gum  (N.  Sylvatica)} 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


217 


a  tree  of  greater  dimensions,  and  larger,  more  elongated 
leaves,  whose  northern  boundary  is  the  neighborhood  of 
Philadelphia ;  the  Large  Tupelo  (N.  grandidentata),  a 
tree  of  the  largest  size,  with  large,  coarsely  toothed 
foliage,  and  a  large  blue  fruit,  three-fourths  of  an  inch 
long,  which  is  sometimes  called  the  wild  olive ;  and  the 
sour  Tupelo  (N.  capitata),  with  long,  smooth,  laurel-like 
leaves,  and  light  red,  oval  fruit,  called  the  Wild  Lime, 
from  its  abounding  in  a  strong  acid,  resembling  that  of 
the  latter  fruit.  Both  the  latter  trees  are  natives  of  the 
southern  states,  and  are  little  known  north  of  Philadelphia. 

The  wood  of  all  the  foregoing  trees  is  remarkable  for 
the  peculiar  arrangement  of  its  fibres ;  which,  instead  of 
running  directly  through  the  stem  in  parallel  lines,  are 
curiously  twisted  and  interwoven  together.  Owing  to 
this  circumstance  it  is  extremely  difficult  to  split,  and  is 
therefore  often  used  in  the  manufacture  of  wooden  bowls, 
trays,  etc.  That  of  the  Peperidge  is  also  preferred  for 
the  same  reason,  and  for  its  toughness,  by  the  wheel- 
wrights, in  the  construction  of  the  naves  of  wheels,  and 
for  other  similar  purposes. 

Michaux  remarks  that  he  is  unable  to  give  any  reason 
why  the  names  of  Sour  gum,  Black  gum,  etc.,  have  been 
bestowed  upon  these  trees,  as  they  spontaneously  exude  no 
sap  or  fluid  which  could  give  rise  to  such  an  appellation. 
We  suspect  that  the  term  has  arisen  from  a  comparison 
of  the  autumnal  tints  of  these  trees  belonging  to  the  genus 
Nyssa,  with  those  of  the  Sweet  gum  or  Liquidambar, 
which,  at  a  short  distance,  they  so  much  resemble  in  the 
early  autumn. 


218 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


The  Thorn  Tree.  Crategus. 

Nat.  Ord.    Rosacea?.       Lin.  Syst.    Icosandria,  Di-pentagynia. 

A  tree  of  the.  smallest  size ;  but  though  many  of  the 
sorts  attain  only  the  stature  of  ordinary  shrubs,  yet  some 
of  our  native  species,  as  well  as  the  English  Hawthorn 
(O.  oxycantha),  when  standing  alone,  will  form  neat, 
spreading-topped  trees,  of  twenty  or  thirty  feet  in  height. 

Although  the  thorn  is  not  generally  viewed  among  us 
as  a  plant  at  all  conducive  to  the  beauty  of  scenery,  yet 
we  are  induced  to  mention  it  here,  and  to  enforce  its 
claims  in  that  point  of  view,  as  they  appear  to  us  highly 
entitled  to  consideration.  First,  the  foliage — deep  green, 
shining,  and  often  beautifully  cut  and  diversified  in  form 
— is  prettily  tufted  and  arranged  upon  the  branches ; 
secondly,  the  snowy  blossoms — often  produced  in  such 
quantities  as  to  completely  whiten  the  whole  head  of  the 
tree,  and  which  in  many  sorts  have  a  delightful  perfume 
— present  a  charming  appearance  in  the  early  part  of  the 
season ;  and  thirdly,  the  ruddy  crimson  or  purple  haws  or 
fruit,  which  give  the  whole  plant  a  rich  and  glowing 
appearance  in  and  among  our  fine  forests,  open  glades,  or 
wild  thickets,  in  autumn. 

The  most  ornamental  and  the  strongest  growing 
indigenous  kinds  are  the  Scarlet  Thorn  tree  (C.  coccinea), 
and  its  varieties,  the  Washington  Thorn  (C  populifolia), 
and  the  Cockspur  Thorn  (C.  crus-galli) ;  all  of  which,  in 
good  soil,  will  grow  to  the  height  of  twenty  or  thirty  feet, 
and  can  readily  be  transplanted  from  their  native  sites. 

The  English  Hawthorn  is  not  only  a  beautiful  small 
tree,  but  it  is  connected  in  our  minds  with  all  the  elegant, 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


219 


poetic,  and  legendary  associations  which  belong  to  it  in 
England  ;  for  scarcely  any  tree  is  richer  in  such  than 
this.  With  the  floral  games  of  May,  this  plant,  from  its 
blooming  at  that  period,  and  being  the  favorite  of  the 
season,  has  become  so  identified,  that  the  blossoms  are 
known  in  many  parts  of  Britain  chiefly  by  that  name. 
Among  the  ancient  Greeks  and  Romans,  they  were  dedi- 
cated to  Flora,  whose  festival  began  on  the  first  of  that 
month  ;  and  in  the  olden  times  of  merry  England,  the 
May-pole,  its  top  decked  with  the  gayest  garlands  of  these 
blossoms,  was  raised  amid  the  shouts  of  the  young  and 
old  assembled  to  celebrate  this  happy  rustic  festival. 
Chaucer  alludes  to  the  custom,  and  describes  the  hawthorn 
thus : 

Marke  the  faire  blooming  of  the  Hawthorne  tree, 
Which  finely  cloathed  in  a  robe  of  white, 
Fills  full  the  wanton  eye  with  May's  delight. 

Court  of  Love. 

And  Herrick  has  left  us  the  following  lines  to  "  Corrina 
going  a  Maying :" 

"  Come,  my  Corrina,  come  ;  and  coming  marke 
How  eche  field  turns  a  street,  eche  street  a  park 
Made  green,  and  trimmed  with  trees  ;  see  how 
Devotion  gives  eche  house  a  bough 
Or  branch  ;  eche  porch,  eche  doore  ere  this, 
An  arke,  a  tabernacle  is, 
Made  up  of  Hawthorne,  neatly  interwove, 
As  if  here  were  those  cooler  shades  of  love." 

The  following  lines  descriptive  of  the  English  species, 
we  extract  from  the  "  Romance  of  Nature." 

"  Come  let  us  rest  this  hawthorn  tree  beneath, 
And  breathe  its  luscious  fragrance  as  it  flies, 


220 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


And  watch  the  tiny  petals  as  they  fall, 
Circling  and  winnowing  down  our  sylvan  hall." 

The  berries,  or  haws,  as  they  are  called,  have  a  very  rich 
and  coral-like  look  when  the  tree,  standing  alone,  is  com- 
pletely covered  with  them  in  October.  There  are  some 
elegant  varieties  of  this  species,  which  highly  deserve  cul- 
tivation for  the  beauty  of  their  flowers  and  foliage.  Among 
them  we  may  particularly  notice  the  Double  White,  with 
beautiful  blossoms  like  small  white  roses  ;  the  Pink  and  the 
Scarlet  flowering,  both  single  and  double,  and  the  Varie- 
gated-leaved hawthorn,  all  elegant  trees  ;  as  well  as  the 
Weeping  hawthorn,  a  rarer  variety,  with  pendulous 
branches. 

The  Hawthorn  is  most  agreeable  to  the  eye  in  compo- 
sition when  it  forms  the  undergrowth  or  thicket,  peeping 
out  in  all  its  green  freshness,  gay  blossoms,  or  bright  fruit, 
from  beneath  and  between  the  groups  and  masses  of  trees  ; 
where,  mingled  with  the  hazel,  etc.,  it  gives  a  pleasing 
intricacy  to  the  whole  mass  of  foliage.  But  the  different 
species  display  themselves  to  most  advantage,  and  grow 
also  to  a  finer  size,  when  planted  singly,  or  two  or  three 
together,  along  the  walks  leading  through  the  different  parts 
of  the  pleasure-ground  or  shrubbery. 


The  Magnolia  Tree.  Magnolia. 

Nat.  Ord.    Magnoliaceae.  Lin.  Syst.    Polyandria,  Polygynia. 

The  North  American  trees  composing  the  genus  Magnolia 
are  certainly  among  the  most  splendid  productions  of  the 
forests  in  any  temperate  climate  ;  and  when  we  consider 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


221 


the  size  and  fragrance  of  their  blossoms,  or  the  beauty  of 
their  large  and  noble  foliage,  we  may  be  allowed  to  doubt 
whether  there  is  a  more  magnificent  and  showy  genus  of 
deciduous  trees  in  the  world.  With  the  exception  of  a  few 
shrubs  or  smaller  trees,  natives  of  China  and  the  mountains 
of  Central  Asia,  it  belongs  exclusively  to  this  continent,  as 
no  individuals  of  this  order  are  indigenous  to  Europe  or 
Africa.  The  American  species  attracted  the  attention  of 
the  first  botanists  who  came  over  to  examine  the  riches  of 
our  native  flora,  and  were  transplanted  to  the  gardens 
of  England  and  France  more  than  a  hundred  years  ago, 
where  they  are  still  valued  as  the  finest  hardy  trees  of  that 
hemisphere. 

The  Large  Evergreen  Magnolia  (M.  grandijlora),  or 
Big  Laurel,  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  is  peculiarly  indige- 
nous to  that  portion  of  our  country  south  of  North  Carolina, 
where  its  stately  trunk,  often  seventy  feet  in  height,  and 
superb  pyramid  of  deep  green  foliage,  render  it  one  of  the 
loveliest  and  most  majestic  of  trees.  The  leaves,  which 
are  evergreen,  and  somewhat  resemble  those  of  the  laurel 
in  form,  are  generally  six  or  eight  inches  in  length,  thick  in 
texture  and  brilliantly  polished  on  the  upper  surface.  The 
highly  fragrant  flowers  are  composed  of  about  six  petals, 
opening  in  a  wide  cup-like  form,  of  the  most  snowy  white- 
ness of  color.  Scattered  among  the  rich  foliage,  their 
effect  is  exquisitely  beautiful.  The  seeds  are  borne  in  an 
oval,  cone-like  carpel  or  seed-vessel,  composed  of  a  number 
of  cells  which  split  longitudinally,  when  the  stony  seed, 
covered  with  a  bright  red  pulp,  drops  out.  There  are 
several  varieties,  which  have  been  raised  from  the  seed  of 
this  species  abroad  ;  the  most  beautiful  is  the  Exmouth 
Magnolia,  with  fine  foliage,  rusty  beneath ;  it  produces  its 


222 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


flowers  much  earlier  and  more  abundantly  than  the  original 
sort. 

We  regret  that  this  tree  is  too  tender  to  bear  the  open 
air  north  of  Philadelphia,  as  it  is  one  of  the  choicest 
evergreens.  At  the  nurseries  of  the  Messrs.  Landreth, 
and  at  the  Bartram  Botanic  Garden  of  Col.  Carr,  near  that 
city,  some  good  specimens  of  this  Magnolia  and  its 
varieties  are  growing  thriftily  ;  but  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  and  at  the  east,  it  can  only  be  considered  a  green- 
house plant. 

The  Cucumber  Magnolia  (C.  acuminata),  (so  called 
from  the  appearance  of  the  young  fruit,  which  is  not  unlike 
a  green  cucumber)  takes  the  same  place  in  the  north,  in 
point  of  majesty  and  elevation,  that  the  Big  Laurel 
occupies  in  the  south.  Its  northern  limit  is  Lake  Erie  ; 
and  it  abounds  along  the  whole  range  of  the  Alleghanies  to 
the  southward,  in  rich  mountain  acclivities,  and  moist 
sheltered  valleys.  There  it  often  measures  three  or  four 
feet  in  diameter,  and  eighty  in  height.  The  leaves,  which 
are  deciduous,  like  those  of  all  the  Magnolias  except  the  M. 
grandiflora,  are  also  about  six  inches  long  and  four  broad, 
acuminate  at  the  point,  of  a  bluish  green  on  the  upper 
surface.  The  flowers  are  six  inches  in  diameter,  of  a  pale 
yellow,  much  like  those  of  the  Tulip  tree,  and  slightly 
fragrant.  The  fruit  is  about  three  inches  long,  and 
cylindrical  in  shape.  Most  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
country  bordering  on  the  Alleghanies,  says  Michaux, 
gather  these  cones  about  midsummer,  when  they  are  half 
ripe,  and  steep  them  in  whiskey  ;  the  liquor  produced,  they 
take  as  an  antidote  against  the  fevers  prevalent  in  those 
districts 

The-  Umbrella  Magnolia  (M.  tripetala),  though  found 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


223 


sometimes  in  the  northwest  of  New  York,  is  rare  there 
and  abounds  most  in  the  south  and  west.  It  is  a  smaller 
tree  than  the  preceding  kinds,  rarely  growing  more  than 
thirty  feet  high.  The  leaves  on  the  terminal  shoots  are 
disposed  three  or  four  in  a  tuft,  which  has  given  rise  to  the 
name  of  Umbrella  tree.  They  are  of  fine  size,  eighteen 
inches  or  two  feet  long,  and  seven  or  eight  broad,  oval, 
pointed  at  both  ends  ;  the  flowers  are  also  large,  white, 
and  numerous  ;  and  the  conical  fruit-vessel  containing  the 
seeds,  assumes  a  beautiful  rose-color  in  autumn.  From  its 
fine  tufted  foliage,  and  rapid  growth,  this  is  one  of  the 
most  desirable  species  for  our  pleasure-grounds. 

The  Large-leaved  Magnolia  (M.  macrophylla)  is  the 
rarest  of  the  genus  in  our  forests,  being  only  found  as  yet 
in  North  Carolina.  The  leaves  grow  to  an  enormous  size 
when  the  tree  is  young,  often  measuring  three  feet  long, 
and  nine  or  ten  inches  broad.  They  are  oblong,  oval,  and 
heart-shaped  at  the  base.  The  flowers  are  also  immense, 
opening  of  the  size  of  a  hat-crown,  and  diffusing  a  most 
agreeable  odor.  The  tree  attains  only  a  secondary  size, 
and  is  distinguished  in  winter  by  the  whiteness  of  its  bark, 
compared  with  the  others.  It  is  rather  tender  north  of 
New  York. 

The  Heart-leaved  Magnolia  (M.  cordata)  is  a  beautiful 
southern  species,  distinguished  by  its  nearly  round,  heart- 
shaped  foliage,  and  its  yellow  flowers  about  four  inches  in 
diameter.  It  blooms  in  the  gardens  very  young,  and  very 
abundantly,  often  producing  two  crops  in  a  season. 

Magnolia  auriculata  grows  about  forty  feet  high,  and 
is  also  found  near  the  southern  Alleghany  range  of 
mountains.  The  leaves  are  light  green,  eight  or  nine 
inches  long,  widest  at  the  top,  and  narrower  towards  the 


224 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


base,  where  they  are  rounded  into  lobes.  The  flowers  are 
not  so  fine  as  those  of  the  preceding  kinds,  but  still  are 
handsome,  pale  greenish  white,  and  about  four  inches  in 
diameter. 

Besides  these,  there  is  a  smaller  American  Magnolia, 
which  is  the  only  sort  that  in  the  middle  or  eastern 
sections  of  the  Union  grows  within  150  miles  of  the  sea- 
shore. This  is  the  Magnolia  of  the  swamps  of  New 
Jersey  and  the  South  (M.  glauca),  of  which  so  many 
fragrant  and  beautiful  bouquets  are  gathered  in  the  season 
of  its  inflorescence,  brought  to  New  York  and  Philadel- 
phia, and  exposed  for  sale  in  the  markets.  It  is  rather  a 
large  bush,  than  a  tree ;  with  shining,  green,  laurel-like 
leaves,  four  or  five  inches  long,  somewhat  mealy  or 
glaucous  beneath.  The  blossoms,  about  three  inches 
broad,  are  snowy  white,  and  so  fragrant  that  where  they 
abound  in  the  swamps,  their  perfume  is  often  perceptible 
for  the  distance  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile. 

The  foreign  sorts  introduced  into  our  gardens  from 
China,  are  the  Chinese  purple  (M.  purpurea),  which 
produces  an  abundance  of  large  delicate  purple  blossoms 
early  in  the  season  ;  the  Yulan  or  Chinese  White  Magno- 
lia (M.  conspicua),  a  most  abundant  bloomer,  bearing 
beautiful  white,  fragrant  flowers  in  April,  before  the  leaves 
appear ;  and  Soulange's  Magnolia  (M.  Soulangiana),  a 
hybrid  between  the  two  foregoing,  with  large  flowers 
delicately  tinted  with  white  and  purple.  These  succeed 
well  in  sheltered  situations,  in  our  pleasure-grounds,  and 
add  greatly  to  their  beauty  early  in  the  season.  Grafted 
on  the  cucumber  tree,  they  form  large  and  vigorous  trees 
of  great  beauty. 

The  Magnolia,  in  order  to  thrive  well,  requires  a  deep, 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


225 


rich  soil ;  which  in  nearly  all  cases,  to  secure  their 
luxuriance,  should  be  improved  by  adding  thereto  some 
leaf  mould  or  decayed  vegetable  matter  from  the  woods 
When  transplanted  from  the  nursery,  they  should  be 
preferred  of  small  or  only  moderate  size,  as  their  succulent 
roots  are  easily  injured,  and  they  recover  slowly  when 
large.  Most  of  them  may  be  propagated  from  seed  ;  but 
they  flower  sooner,  grow  more  vigorously,  and  are  much 
hardier  when  grafted  upon  young  stocks  of  the  Cucumber 
Magnolia.  This  we  have  found  to  be  particularly  the 
case  with  the  Chinese  species  and  varieties. 

All  these  trees  are  such  superbly  beautiful  objects  upon 
a  lawn  in  their  rich  summer  garniture  of  luxuriant  foliage, 
and  large  odoriferous  flowers,  that  they  need  no  further 
recommendation  from  us  to  insure  their  regard  and 
admiration  from  all  persons  who  have  room  for  their 
culture.  If  possible,  situations  somewhat  sheltered  either 
by  buildings  or  other  trees,  should  be  chosen  for  all  the 
species,  except  the  Cucumber  Magnolia,  which  thrives 
well  in  almost  any  aspect  not  directly  open  to  violent 
gales  of  wind. 


The  White-wood,  or  Tulip  Tree.  Liriodendron. 

Nat.  Ord.    Magnoliaceae.  Lin.  Syst.    Polyandria,  Polygynia. 

The  Tulip  tree  belongs  to  the  same  natural  order  as  the 
Magnolias,  and  is  not  inferior  to  most  of  the  latter  in  all 
that  entitles  them  to  rank  among  our  very  finest  forest 
trees. 

The  taller  Magnolias,  as  we  have  already  remarked,  do 
15 


226  LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 

not  grow  naturally  within  100  or  150  miles  of  the  sea- 
coast  ;  and  the  Tulip  tree  may  be  considered  as  in  some 
measure  supplying  their  place  in  the  middle  Atlantic 
states.  West  of  the  Connecticut  river,  and  south  of  the 
sources  of  the  Hudson,  this  fine  tree  may  be  often  seen 
reaching  in  warm  and  deep  alluvial  soils  80  or  90  feet  in 
height.  But  in  the  western  states,  where  indeed  the 
growth  of  forest  trees  is  astonishingly  vigorous,  this  tree 
far  exceeds  that  altitude.  The  elder  Michaux  mentions 
several  which  he  saw  in  Kentucky,  that  were  fifteen  and 
sixteen  feet  in  girth ;  and  his  son  confirms  the  measure- 
ment of  one,  three  miles  and  a  half  from  Louisville,  which, 
at  five  feet  from  the  ground,  was  found  to  be  twenty-two 
feet  and  six  inches  in  circumference,  with  a  corresponding 
elevation  of  130  feet. 

The  foliage  is  rich  and  glossy,  and  has  a  very  peculiar 
form  ;  being  cut  off,  as  it  were,  at  the  extremity,  and 
slightly  notched  and  divided  into  two-sided  lobes.  The 
breadth  of  the  leaves  is  six  or  eight  inches.  The  flowers, 
which  are  shaped  like  a  large  tulip,  are  composed  of  six 
thick  yellow  petals,  mottled  on  the  inner  surface  with  red 
and  green.  They  are  borne  singly  on  the  terminal  shoots, 
have  a  pleasant,  slight  perfume,  and  are  very  showy. 
The  seed-vessel,  which  ripens  in  October,  is  formed  of  a 
number  of  scales  surrounding  the  central  axis  in  the  form 
of  a  cone.  It  is  remarkable  that  young  trees  under  30  or 
35  feet  high,  seldom  or  never  perfect  their  seeds. 

Whoever  has  once  seen  the  Tulip  tree  in  a  situation 
where  the  soil  wras  favorable  to  its  free  growth,  can 
never  forget  it.  With  a  clean  trunk,  straight  as  a 
column,  for  40  or  50  feet,  surmounted  by  a  fine,  ample 
summit  of  rich  green  foliage,  it  is,  in  our  estimation, 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


227 


decidedly  the  most  stately  tree  in  North  America. 
When  standing  alone,  and  encouraged  in  its  lateral 
growth,  it  will  indeed  often  produce  a  lower  head,  but 
its  tendency  is  to  rise,  and  it  only  exhibits  itself  in  all 
its  stateliness  and  majesty  when,  supported  on  such  a 
noble  columnar  trunk,  it  towers  far  above  the  heads  of 
its  neighbors  of  the  park  or  forest.  Even  when  at  its 
loftiest  elevation,  its  large  specious  blossoms,  which, 
from  their  form,  one  of  our  poets  has  likened  to  the 
chalice  ; 

 Through  the  verdant  maze 

The  Tulip  tree 
Its  golden  chalice  oft  triumphantly  displays. 

Pickering. 

jut  out  from  amid  the  tufted  canopy  in  the  month  of  June, 
and  glow  in  richness  and  beauty.  While  the  tree  is  less 
than  a  foot  in  diameter,  the  stem  is  extremely  smooth,  and 
it  has  almost  always  a  refined  and  finished  appearance. 
For  the  lawn  or  park,  we  conceive  the  Tulip  tree 
eminently  adapted  :  its  tall  upright  stem,  and  handsome 
summit,  contrasting  nobly  with  the  spreading  forms  of  most 
deciduous  trees.  It  should  generally  stand  alone,  or  near 
the  border  of  a  mass  of  trees,  where  it  may  fully  display 
itself  to  the  eye,  and  exhibit  all  its  charms  from  the  root 
to  the  very  summit ;  for  no  tree  of  the  same  grandeur  and 
magnitude  is  so  truly  beautiful  and  graceful  in  every 
portion  of  its  trunk  and  branches.  Where  there  is  a  taste 
for  avenues,  the  Tulip  tree  ought  by  all  means  to  be 
employed,  as  it  makes  a  most  magnificent  overarching 
canopy  of  verdure,  supported  on  trunks  almost  archi- 
tectural in  their  symmetry.  The  leaves  also,  from  their 
bitterness,  are  but  little  liable  to  the  attacks  of  any  insect. 


22S 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


This  tree  was  introduced  into  England  about  1G08  :  and 
is  now  to  be  found  in  almost  every  gentleman's  park  on  Ihe 
Continent  of  Europe,  so  highly  is  it  esteemed  as  an 
ornamental  tree  of  the  first  class.  We  hope  that  the  fine 
native  specimens  yet  standing,  here  and  there,  in  farm  lands 
along  our  river  banks,  may  be  sacredly  preserved  from 
the  barbarous  infliction  of  the  axe,  which  formerly 
despoiled  without  mercy  so  many  of  the  majestic  denizens 
of  our  native  forests. 

In  the  western  states,  where  this  tree  abounds,  it  is  much 
used  in  building  and  carpentry.  The  timber  is  light  and 
yellow,  and  the  tree  is  commonly  called  the  Yellow  Poplar 
in  those  districts,  from  some  fancied  resemblance  in  the 
wood,  though  it  is  much  heavier  and  more  durable  than 
that  of  the  poplar. 

When  exposed  to  the  weather,  the  wood  is  liable  to 
warp,  but  as  it  is  fine  grained,  light,  and  easily  worked,  it  is 
extensively  employed  for  the  panels  of  coaches,  doors, 
cabinet-work,  and  wainscots.  The  Indians  who  once 
inhabited  these  regions,  hollowed  out  the  trunks,  and  made 
their  canoes  of  them.  There  are  two  sorts  of  timber 
known  ;  viz.  the  Yellow  and  the  White  Poplar,  or  Tulip 
tree.  These,  however,  it  is  well  known  are  the  same 
species  (L.  tulipifera)  ;  but  the  variation  is  brought  about 
by  the  soil,  which  if  dry,  gravelly,  and  elevated,  produces 
the  white,  and  if  rich,  deep,  and  rather  moist,  the  yellow 
timber. 

It  is  rather  difficult  to  transplant  the  Tulip  tree  when  it 
has  attained  much  size,  unless  the  roots  have  undergone 
preparation,  as  will  hereafter  be  mentioned  ;  but  it  is  easily 
propagated  from  seed,  or  obtained  from  the  nurseries,  and 
the  growth  is  then  strong  and  rapid. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


229 


The  Dogwood  Tree.  Comas. 
Nat.  Ord.    Cornaceae.       Lin.  Syst.    Tetrandria,  Monogynia. 

There  are  a  number  of  small  shrubs  that  belong  to  this 
genus,  but  the  common  Dogwood  (Cornus  fioridd)  is  the 
only  species  which  has  any  claims  to  rank  as  a  tree.  In 
the  middle  states,  where  it  abounds,  as  well  as  in  most 
other  parts  of  the  Union,  the  maximum  height  is  thirty- 
five  feet,  while  its  ordinary  elevation  is  about  twenty  feet. 

The  Dogwood  is  quite  a  picturesque  small  tree,  and  owes 
its  interest  chiefly  to  the  beauty  of  its  numerous  blossoms 
and  fruit.  The  leaves  are  oval,  about  three  inches  long, 
dark  green  above,  and  paler  below.  In  the  beginning  of 
May,  while  the  foliage  is  beginning  to  expand  rapidly,  and 
before  the  tree  is  in  full  leaf,  the  flowers  unfold,  and 
present  a  beautiful  spectacle,  often  covering  the  whole  tree 
with  their  snowy  garniture.  The  principal  beauty  of 
these  consists  in  the  involucrum  or  calyx,  which,  instead 
of  being  green,  as  is  commonly  the  case,  in  the  Dogwood 
takes  a  white  or  pale  blue  tint.  The  true  flowers  may  be 
seen  collected  in  little  clusters,  and  are,  individually,  quite 
small,  though  surrounded  by  the  involucrum,  which 
produces  all  the  effect  of  a  fine  white  blossom. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  season,  the  Dogwood  is  one  of 
the  gayest  ornaments  of  our  native  woods.  It  is  seen  at 
that  time  to  great  advantage  in  sailing  up  the  Hudson 
river.  There,  in  the  abrupt  Highlands,  which  rise  boldly 
many  hundred  feet  above  the  level  of  the  river,  patches  of 
the  Dogwood  in  full  bloom  gleam  forth  in  snowy  whiteness 
from  among  the  tender  green  of  the  surrounding  young 
foliage,  and  the  gloomier  shades  of  the  dark  evergreens, 


230 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


which  clothe  with  a  rich  verdure  the  rocks  and  precipices 
that  overhang  the  moving  flood  below. 

The  berries  which  succeed  these  blossoms  become  quite 
red  and  brilliant  in  autumn  ;  and,  as  they  are  plentifully 
borne  in  little  clusters,  they  make  quite  a  display.  When 
the  sharp  frosts  have  lessened  their  bitterness,  they  are  the 
food  of  the  robin,  which,  at  that  late  season,  eats  them 
greedily. 

The  foliage  in  autumn  is  also  highly  beautiful,  and  must 
be  considered  as  contributing  to  the  charms  of  this  tree. 
The  color  it  assumes  is  a  deep  lake-red ;  and  it  is  at  that 
season  as  easily  known  at  a  distance  by  its  fine  coloring, 
as  the  Maple,  the  Liquidambar,  and  the  Nyssa,  of  which 
we  have  already  spoken.  Taking  into  consideration  all 
these  ornamental  qualities,  and  also  the  fact  that  it  is  every 
day  becoming  scarcer  in  our  native  wilds,  we  think  the 
Dogwood  tree  should  fairly  come  under  the  protection  of 
the  picturesque  planter,  and  well  deserves  a  place  in  the 
pleasure-ground  and  shrubbery. 

The  wood  is  close-grained,  hard,  and  heavy,  and  takes 
a  good  polish.  It  is  too  small  to  enter  into  general  use,  but 
is  often  employed  for  the  lesser  utensils  of  the  farm.  The 
bark  has  been  very  successfully  employed  by  physicians  in 
Philadelphia,  and  elsewhere,  and  is  found  to  possess  nearly 
the  same  properties  as  the  Peruvian  bark.  Bigelow  states 
in  his  American  Botany,  that  its  u»e  in  fevers  has  been 
known  and  practised  in  many  sections  of  the  Union  by  the 
country  people,  for  more  than  fifty  years. 

Besides  this  native  species  there  is  an  European 
dogwood  (Cornus  mascula),  commonly  called  the  Cornelian 
cherry,  which  is  now  planted  in  many  of  our  gardens,  and 
grows  to  the  height  of  twenty  or  thirty  feet.    The  small 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


231 


yellow  flowers  come  out  close  to  the  branches  in  March  or 
April,  and  the  whole  tree  is  quite  handsome  in  autumn, 
from  the  size  and  color  of  its  fine  oval  scarlet  berries. 
These  are  as  large  as  a  small  cherry,  transparent,  and  hang 
for  a  long  time  upon  the  tree.  The  leaves  are  much  like 
those  of  the  common  Dogwood.  Although  the  blossoms 
are  produced  when  the  plant  is  quite  a  bush,  yet  it  must 
attain  some  age  before  the  fruit  sets.  Altogether,  the 
Cornelian  cherry  is  one  of  the  most  desirable  of  small 
trees.* 


The  Salisburia,  ob  Ginko  Tree. 

Nat.  Ord.    Taxacese.     Lin.  Syst.    Moncecia,  Polyandria. 

This  fine  exotic  tree,  which  appears  to  be  perfectly  hardy 
in  this  climate,  is  one  of  the  most  singular  in  its  foliage  that 
has  ever  come  under  our  observation.  The  leaves  are 
wedge-shaped,  or  somewhat  triangular,  attached  to  the 
petioles  at  one  of  the  angles,  and  pale  yellowish  green  in 
color ;  the  ribs  or  veins,  instead  of  diverging  from  the 
central  mid-rib  of  the  leaf,  as  is  commonly  the  case  in 
dicotyledonous  plants,  are  all  parallel ;  in  short,  they  almost 
exactly  resemble  (except  in  being  three  or  four  times  as 
large)  those  of  the  beautiful  Maiden  hair  fern  (Adiantum) 
common  in  our  woods  :  being  thickened  at  the  edges  and 
notched  on  the  margin  in  a  similar  manner.  The  male 
flowers  are  yellow,  sessile  catkins  ;  the  female  is  seated  in  a 
curious  kind  of  cup,  formed  by  the  enlargement  of  the  sum- 
mit of  the  peduncle.  The  fruit  is  a  drupe,  about  an  inch 
in  length,  containing  a  nut,  which,  according  to  Dr.  Abel, 
is  almost  always  to  be  seen  for  sale  in  the  markets  of  China 

*  (Camus  varicgata),  the  Variegated  Dogwood,  with  leaves  curiously  blotched 
with  white,  and  (C.  sanguvnea),  with  its  young  shoots  of  a  bright  scarlet— very 
showy  in  Winter,  are  both  very  desirable  varieties. — H.  W.  S. 


232 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


and  Japan,  the  native  country  of  this  tree.  They  are  eaten 
after  having  been  roasted  or  boiled,  and  are  considered 
excellent. 

The  Salisburia  was  introduced  into  this  country  by  tha\ 
zealous  amateur  of  horticulture  and  botany,  the  late  Mr. 
Hamilton,  of  Woodlands,  near  Philadelphia,  who  brought 
it  from  England  in  1784,  where  it  had  been  received  from 
Japan  about  thirty  years  previous.  There  are  several  of 
these  now  growing  at  Woodlands  ;  and  the  largest  measures 
sixty  feet  in  height,  and  three  feet  four  inches  in  circum- 
ference. The  next  largest  specimen  which  we  have  seen 
is  now  standing  on  the  north  side  of  that  fine  public  square, 
the  Boston  Common.  It  originally  grew  in  the  grounds 
of  Gardiner  Green,  Esq.,  of  Boston ;  but  though  of  fine  size, 
it  was,  about  three  years  since,  carefully  removed  to  its 
present  site,  which  proves  its  capability  for  bearing  trans- 
planting. Its  measurement  is  forty  feet  in  elevation,  and 
three  in  circumference.  There  is  also  a  very  handsome 
tree  in  the  grounds  of  Messrs.  Landreth,  Philadelphia,  about 
thirty-five  feet  high  and  very  thrifty. 

We  have  not  learned  that  any  of  these  trees  have  yet 
borne  their  blossoms ;  at  any  rate  none  but  male  blossoms 
have  yet  been  produced.  Abroad,  the  Salisburia  has  fruited 
in  the  South  of  France,  and  young  trees  have  been  reared 
from  the  nuts. 

The  bark  is  somewhat  soft  and  leathery,  and  on  the 
trunk  and  branches  assumes  a  singular  tawny  yellow  or 
greyish  color.  The  tree  grows  pretty  rapidly,  and  forms 
an  exceedingly  neat,  loose,  conical,  or  tapering  head.  The 
timber  is  very  solid  and  heavy ;  and  the  tree  is  said  to  grow 
to  enormous  size  in  its  native  country.  Bunge,  who  accom- 
panied the  mission  from  Russia  to  Pekin,  states  that  he  saw 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


233 


near  a  Pagoda,  an  immense  Ginko  tree,  with  a  trunk 
nearly  forty  feet  in  circumference,  and  still  in  full  vigor  of 
vegetation.* 

Although  nearly  related  to  the  Pine  tribe,  and  forming, 
apparently,  the  connecting  link  between  the  coniferce  and 
exogenous  trees,  yet,  unlike  the  former  tribe,  the  wood  of 
the  tree  is  perfectly  free  from  resin. 

The  Ginko  tree  is  so  great  a  botanical  curiosity,  and  is 
so  singularly  beautiful  when  clad  with  its  fern-like  foliage, 
that  it  is  strikingly  adapted  to  add  ornament  and  interest 
to  the  pleasure  ground.  As  the  foliage  is  of  that  kind  which 
must  be  viewed  near  by  to  understand  its  peculiarity,  and 
as  the  form  and  outline  of  the  tree  are  pleasing,  and  har- 
monize well  with  buildings,  we  would  recommend  that  it 
be  planted  near  the  house,  where  its  unique  character  can 
be  readily  seen  and  appreciated. 

Salisburia  adiantifolia  is  the  only  species.  In  the 
United  States  it  appears  to  flourish  best  in  a  rich  fertile  soil, 
rather  dry  than  otherwise.  South  of  Albany  it  is  perfectly 
hardy,  and  may  therefore  be  considered  a  most  valuable 
acquisition  to  our  catalogue  of  trees  of  the  first  class.  It 
has  hitherto  been  propagated  chiefly  from  layers ;  but  cut- 
tings of  the  preceding  year's  growth,  planted  early  in  the 
spring,  in  a  fine  sandy  loam,  and  kept  shaded  and  watered, 
will  also  root  without  much  difficulty.  When  the  old  trees 
already  mentioned  (which  have  doubtless  been  raised  from 
seed)  begin  to  blossom,  plants  reared  from  them  by  cuttings 
or  grafts,  will,  of  course,  produce  blossoms  and  fruit  much 
more  speedily  than  when  reared  from  the  nut. 


*  Bull,  de  la  Soc.  d'Agr.  du  depart  de  I'Herault.    Arb.  Brit. 


234 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


The  American  Cypress  Tree.  Taxodium. 
Nat.  Ord.    Coniferae.  Lin.  Syst.    Moncecia,  Monadelphia. 

The  Southern  or  Deciduous  cypress  {Taxodium  distu 
churn)*  is  one  of  the  most  majestic,  useful,  and  beautiful 
trees  of  the  southern  part  of  North  America.  Naturally,  it 
is  not  found  growing  north  of  Maryland,  or  the  south  part 
of  Delaware,  but  below  that  boundary  it  becomes  extremely 
multiplied.  The  low  grounds  and  alluvial  soils  subject  to 
inundations,  are  constantly  covered  with  this  tree  ;  and  on 
the  banks  of  the  Mississippi  and  other  great  western  rivers, 
for  more  than  600  miles  from  its  mouth,  those  vast  marshes, 
caused  by  the  periodical  bursting  and  overflowing  of  their 
banks,  are  filled  with  huge  and  almost  endless  growths  of 
this  tree,  called  Cypress  swamps.  Beyond  the  boundaries 
of  the  United  States  its  geographical  range  extends  to 
Mexico ;  and  Michaux  estimates  that  it  is  found  more  or 
less  abundantly,  over  a  range  of  country  more  than  3000 
miles  in  extent. 

"  In  the  swamps  of  the  southern  states  and  the  Floridas, 
on  whose  deep,  miry  soil  a  new  layer  of  vegetable  mould 
is  deposited  every  year  by  the  floods,  the  Cypress  attains 
its  utmost  development.  The  largest  stocks  are  120  feet 
in  height,  and  from  25  to  40  feet  in  circumference  above 
the  conical  base,  which  at  the  surface  of  the  earth  is  always 
three  or  four  times  as  large  as  the  continued  diameter  of 
the  trunk ;  in  felling  them,  the  negroes  are  obliged  to  raise 
themselves  upon  scaffolds  five  or  six  feet  from  the  ground 
The  roots  of  the  largest  stocks,  particularly  of  such  as  are 


*  Cupressus  disticha. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


235 


most  exposed  to  inundation,  are  charged  with  conical  pro- 
tuberances, commonly  from  eighteen  to  twenty-four  inches, 
and  sometimes  four  or  five  feet  in  thickness  ;  these  are 
always  hollow,  smooth  on  the  surface,  and  covered  with  a 
reddish  bark,  like  the  roots,  which  they  resemble  also  in  the 
softness  of  their  wood ;  they  exhibit  no  sign  of  vegetation, 
and  I  have  never  succeeded  in  obtaining  shoots  by  wound- 
ing their  surface  and  covering  them  with  the  earth.  No 
cause  can  be  assigned  for  their  existence  :  they  are  peculiar 
to  the  Cypress,  and  begin  to  appear  when  it  is  twenty  or 
twenty-five  feet  in  height ;  they  are  not  made  use  of  except 
by  the  negroes  for  bee-hives/' 

"  The  foliage  is  open,  light,  and  of  a  fresh,  agreeable 
tint ;  each  leaf  is  four  or  five  inches  long,  and  consists  of 
two  parallel  rows  of  leaflets,  upon  a  common  stem.  The 
leaflets  are  small,  fine,  and  somewhat  arching,  with  the 
convex  side  outwards.  In  the  autumn,  they  change  from 
a  light  green  to  a  dull  red,  and  are  shed  soon  after." 

"  The  Cypress  blooms  in  Carolina  about  the  first  of 
February.  The  male  and  female  flowers  are  borne 
separately,  by  the  same  tree  ;  the  first  in  flexible  pendulous 
aments,  and  the  second  in  bunches,  scarcely  apparent. 
The  cones  are  about  as  large  as  the  thumb,  hard,  round, 
of  an  uneven  surface,  and  stored  with  small,  irregular, 
ligneous  seeds,  containing  a  cylindrical  kernel ;  they  are 
ripe  in  October,  and  retain  their  productive  virtue  for  two 
years."* 

Such  is  the  account  given  of  the  Cypress  in  its  native 
soils.  In  the  middle  states  it  is  planted  only  as  an  orna- 
mental tree  ;  and  while,  in  the  South,  its  great  abundance 


*  N.  A.  Sylva.  ii.  332. 


23G 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


causes  it  to  be  neglected  or  disregarded  as  such,  its  rarity 
here  allows  us  fully  to  appreciate  its  beauty.  North  of  the 
43°  of  latitude  it  will  not  probably  stand  the  winter  without 
protection ;  but  south  of  that,  it  will  attain  a  good  size. 
The  finest  planted  specimen  which  we  have  seen,  and  on© 
which  is  probably  equal  in  grandeur  to  almost  any  in  their 
native  swamps,  is  growing  in  the  Bartram  Botanic  Garden, 
near  Philadelphia.  That  garden  was  founded  by  the  fathei 
of  American  botanists,  John  Bartram,  who  explored  the 
southern  and  western  territories,  then  vast  wilds,  at  the 
peril  of  his  life,  to  furnish  the  savans  and  gardens  of 
Europe,  with  the  productions  of  the  new  world,  and  who 
commenced  the  living  collection,  now  unequalled,  of 
American  trees,  in  his  own  garden.  In  the  lower  part  of 
it  stands  the  great  Cypress,  a  tree  of  noble  dimensions, 
measuring  at  this  time  130  feet  in  height  and  25  in  circum- 
ference. The  tree  was  held  by  Bartram's  son,  William, 
while  his  father  assisted  in  planting  it,  ninety-nine  years 
ago.  The  elder  Bartram  at  the  time  expressed  to  his  son, 
the  hope  that  the  latter  might  live  to  see  it  a  large  tree. 
Long  before  he  died  (not  many  years  since),  it  had  become 
the  prodigy  of  the  garden,  and  great  numbers  from  the 
neighboring  city  annually  visit  it,  to  admire  its  vast  size, 
and  recline  beneath  its  ample  shade. 

The  foliage  of  the  Cypress  is  peculiar  ;  for  while  it  has 
a  resemblance  to  the  Hemlock,  Yew,  and  other  evergreen 
trees,  its  cheerful,  bright  green  tint,  and  loose  airy  tufts  of 
foliage,  give  it  a  character  of  great  lightness  and  elegance. 
In  young  trees,  the  form  of  the  head  is  pyramidal  or 
pointed ;  but  when  they  become  old,  Michaux  remarks,  the 
head  becomes  widely  spread,  and  even  depressed,  thus 
assuming  a  remarkably  picturesque  aspect.    This  is  also 


DECIDUOUS   ORXAMENTAL  TREES. 


237 


heightened  by  the  deep  furrows  or  channels  in  the  trunk, 
and  the  singular  excrescences  or  knobs  already  described, 
which,  jutting  above  the  surface  of  the  ground,  give  a 
strange  ruggedness  to  the  surface  beneath  the  shadow  of 
its  branches.  A  single  Cypress  standing  alone,  like  that  in 
the  Bartram  Garden,  is  a  grand  object,  uniting  with  the 
expression  of  great  elegance  and  lightness  in  its  foliage* 
that  of  magnificence,  when  we  perceive  its  extraordinary 
height,  and  huge  stem  and  branches. 

In  composition,  the  Cypress  produces  the  happiest  effect, 
when  it  is  planted  with  the  hemlock  and  firs,  with  which 
it  harmonizes  well  in  the  form  of  its  foliage,  while  its 
soft  light  green  hue  is  beautifully  opposed  to  the  richer  and 
darker  tints  of  those  thickly-clad  evergreens.  Wherever 
there  is  a  moist  and  rather  rich  soil,  the  Cypress  may  be 
advantageously  planted  :  for  although  we  have  seen  it 
thrive  well  on  a  fertile  dry  loam,  yet  to  attain  all  its  lofty 
proportions,  it  requires  a  soil  where  its  thirsty  roots  can 
drink  in  a  sufficient  supply  of  moisture.  There  its  growth 
is  quite  rapid  ;  and  although  it  may,  at  first,  suffer  a  little 
from  the  cold  at  the  north,  in  severe  winters,  yet  it 
continues  its  progress,  and  ultimately  becomes  a  stately 
tree. 

In  many  parts  of  the  southern  states,  the  timber  of  this 
tree,  which  is  of  excellent  quality,  is  extensively  used  in 
the  construction  of  the  framework  and  outer  covering  of 
houses.  It  is  also  esteemed  for  shingles  ;  and  a  large  trade 
has  long  been  carried  on  from  the  south  in  Cypress 
shingles.  Posts  made  of  this  tree  are  found  to  be  very 
lasting  ;  and  it  is  also  employed  for  water-pipes,  masts  of 
vessels,  etc.    In  the  north,  its  place  is  supplied  by  the  Pine 


238 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING, 


timber,  but  in  many  southern  cities,  particularly  New 
Orleans,  it  will  be  found  to  enter  into  the  composition  of 
almost  every  building. 

In  the  nurseries,  the  Cypress  is  usually  propagated  from 
the  seed ;  and  as  it  sends  down  strong  roots,  it  should  be 
transplanted  where  it  is  finally  to  grow  before  it  attains  too 
great  a  development. 

The  European  Cypress  {Cuprcssus  sempervirens),  a 
beautiful  evergreen  tree,  shaped  like  a  small  Lombardy 
poplar,  which  is  the  principal  ornament  of  the  churchyards 
and  cemeteries  abroad,  is  unfortunately  too  tender  to 
endure  the  winter  in  any  of  the  states  north  of  Virginia. 
South  of  that  state,  it  may  probably  become  naturalized, 
and  serve  to  add  to  the  catalogue  of  beautiful  indigenous 
evergreen  trees. 

From  its  dark  and  sombre  tint,  and  perpetual  verdure,  it 
is  peculiarly  the  emblem  of  grief : 

"  Binde  you  my  brows  with  mourning  Cyparesse, 
And  palish  twigs  of  deadlier  poplar  tree, 
Or  if  some  sadder  shades  ye  can  devise, 
Those  sadder  shades  vaile  my  light-loathing  eyes." 

Bp.  Hall. 


The  Larch  Tree.  Larix. 

Nat.  Ord.    Coniferae.       Lin.  Syst.    Monoecia,  Monadelphia. 

The  Larch  is  a  resinous,  cone-bearing  tree,  belonging 
to  the  Pine  family,  but  differing  from  that  genus  in  the 
annual  shedding  of  its  leaves  like  other  deciduous  trees, 
[n  Europe  it  is  a  native  of  the  coldest  parts  of  the  Alps 
and  Appenines  ;  and  in  America,  is  indigenous  to  the  most 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


289 


northern  parts  of  the  Union,  and  the  Canadas.  The  leaves 
are  collected  in  little  bunches,  and  the  branches  shoot  out 
from  the  main  stem  in  a  horizontal,  or,  more  generally 
in  a  declining  position. 


[Fig.  36.  The  European  Larch.] 


For  picturesque  beauty,  the  Larch  is  almost  unrivalled. 
Unlike  most  other  trees  which  must  grow  old,  uncouth,  and 
misshapen  before  they  can  attain  that  expression,  this  is 
singularly  so,  as  soon  almost  as  it  begins  to  assume  the 
stature  of  a  tree.  It  can  never  be  called  a  beautiful  tree, 
so  far  as  beauty  consists  in  smooth  outlines,  a  finely  rounded 
head,  or  gracefully  drooping  branches.  But  it  has  what  is 
perhaps  more  valuable,  as  being  more  rare, — the  expression 
of  boldness  and  picturesqueness  peculiar  to  itself,  and 


240 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


which  it  seems  to  have  caught  from  the  wild  and  rugged 
chasms,  rocks,  and  precipices  of  its  native  mountains. 
There  its  irregular  and  spiry  top  and  branches,  harmonize 
admirably  with  the  abrupt  variation  of  the  surrounding 
hills,  and  suit  well  with  the  gloomy  grandeur  of  those 
frowning  heights. 

Like  all  highly  expressive  and  characteristic  trees,  much 
more  care  is  necessary  in  introducing  the  Larch  into 
artificial  scenery  judiciously,  than  round-headed  trees.  If 
planted  in  abundance,  it  becomes  monotonous,  from  the 
similitude  of  its  form  in  different  specimens ;  it  should 
therefore  be  introduced  sparingly,  and  always  for  some 
special  purpose.  This  purpose  may  be  either  to  give  spirit 
to  a  group  of  other  trees,  to  strengthen  the  already  pic- 
turesque character  of  a  scene,  or  to  give  life  and  variety 
to  one  naturally  tame  and  uninteresting.  All  these  objects 
can  be  fully  effected  by  the  Larch  ;  and  although  it  is  by 
far  the  most  suited  to  harmonize  with  and  strengthen  the 
expression  of  scenery  naturally  grand,  or  picturesque,  with 
which  it  most  readily  enters  into  combination ;  yet,  in  the 
hands  of  taste,  there  can  be  no  reason  why  so  marked  a 
tree  should  not  be  employed  in  giving  additional  expression 
to  scenery  of  a  tamer  character. 

The  extremely  rapid  growth  of  this  tree  when  planted 
upon  thin,  barren,  and  dry  soils,  is  another  great  merit 
which  it  possesses  as  an  ornamental  tree ;  and  it  is  also  a 
necessary  one  to  enable  it  to  thrive  well  on  those  very 
rocky  and  barren  soils,  where  it  is  most  in  character  with 
the  surrounding  objects.  It  is  highly  valuable  to  produce 
effect  or  shelter  suddenly,  on  portions  of  an  estate,  too  thin 
or  meagre  in  their  soil  to  afford  the  sustenance  necessary 
to  the  growth  of  many  other  deciduous  trees. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


241 


The  Larch  is  the  great  timber  tree  of  Europe.  Its  wood 
is  remarkably  heavy,  strong,  and  durable,  exceeding  in  all 
those  qualities  the  best  English  oak.  To  these,  it  is  said  tc 
add  the  peculiarity  of  being  almost  uninflammable,  and 
resisting  the  influence  of  heat  for  a  long  time.  Vitruvius 
relates  that  when  Caesar  attacked  the  castle  of  Larignum, 
near  the  Alps,  whose  gate  was  commanded  by  a  tower  built 
of  this  wood,  from  the  top  of  which  the  besieged  annoyed 
him  with  their  stones  and  darts,  he  commanded  his  army  to 
surround  it  with  fagots,  and  set  fire  to  the  whole.  When, 
however,  all  the  former  were  consumed,  he  was  astonished 
to  find  the  Larcii  tower  uninjured.* 

The  Larch  is  unquestionably  the  most  enduring  timber 
that  we  have.  It  is  remarkable,  that  whilst  the  red  wood 
or  heart  wood  is  not  formed  at  all  in  the  other  resinous 
trees,  till  they  have  lived  for  a  good  many  years,  the  Larch, 
on  the  contrary,  begins  to  make  it  soon  after  it  is  planted  ; 
and  while  you  may  fell  a  Scotch  fir  of  thirty  years  old, 
and  find  no  red  wood  in  it,  you  can  hardly  cut  down  a 
young  Larch  large  enough  to  be  a  walking  stick,  without 
finding  just  such  a  proportion  of  red  wood  compared  to  its 
diameter  as  a  'ree,  as  you  will  find  in  the  largest  Larch  tree 
in  the  forest,  compared  to  its  diameter.  To  prove  the 
?alue  of  the  Larch  as  a  timber  tree,  several  experiments 
were  made  in  the  river  Thames.  Posts  of  equal  thickness 
and  strength,  some  of  Larch  and  others  of  oak,  were 
driven  down  facing  the  river  wall,  where  they  were 
alternately  covered  with  water  by  the  effect  of  the  tide, 
and  then  left  dry  by  its  fall.  This  species  of  alternation  is 
the  most  trying  of  all  circumstances  for  the  endurance  of 
timber ;  and  accordingly  the  oaken  posts  decayed,  ana 
were  twice  renewed  in  the  course  of  a  very  few  years, 

*  Newton's  Vitruvius,  p.  40. 

16 


242 


L ANDSC A P E   G A R I) E N ENG. 


while  those  that  were  made  of  the  Larch  remained 
altogether  unchanged. 

Besides  the  foregoing  species  [Larix  Eur  oped)*  we  have 
two  native  sorts  much  resembling  it ;  which  are  chiefly 
found  in  the  states  of  Maine,  Vermont,  and  New 
Hampshire.  These  are  known  by  the  names  of  the  Red 
Larch  {L.  Microcarpa)  and  the  Black  Larch  (L.  pendula), 
which  latter  is  often  called  Hackmatack.  In  the  coldest 
parts  of  the  Union,  these  often  grow  to  80  and  100  feet 
high ;  but  in  the  middle  states  they  are  only  seen  in 
the  swamps,  and  appear  not  to  thrive  so  well  except  in 
such  situations.  For  this  reason  the  European  Larch  is 
of  course  greatly  preferable  when  plantations  are  to  be 
made,  either  for  profit  or  ornament.  The  latter  is 
generally  increased  from  seed  in  the  nurseries. 

The  American  Larches  are  well  worthy  a  place  where 
sufficient  moisture  can  be  commanded,  as  their  peculiar 
forms  are  striking,  though  not  so  finely  picturesque  as  that 
of  the  European  species. 

*  A  very  curious  and  remarkable  addition  to  the  varieties  of  this  genus  is 
{Larix pendula)  the  Weeping  Larch,  differing  from  our  {Pendula  Americana) 
American  Weeping  Larch,  and  much  more  extraordinary.  When  worked  ten 
or  fifteen  feet  high,  the  inclination  of  the  branches  and  spray  is  immediately 
downward,  and  when  gently  swayed  by  the  wind,  it  is  excessively  graceful  and 
pretty.  We  do  not  know  a  more  distinctive  and  striking  tree,  or  one  more 
rare.  It  seems  difficult  to  transplant— at  lea^t  this  is  our  experience — and  it 
can  only  be  increased  by  grafting  by  approach.  Nurserymen  are  apt  to  work 
it  too  low  :  it  should  never  be  grafted  at  a  less  distance  than  ten  to  twelve  feet 
— and  for  some  years,  it  should  be  supported  by  a  stout  stake,  as  the  tree  is  apt 
to  be  top-heavy.  This  curious  variety  was  found  accidentally,  if  we  remember 
right,  some  ten  to  fifteen  years  since,  in  a  nursery  near  Hereford,  England,  by 
a  Mr.  Gtodsall,  and  is  known  in  English  nurseries  as  Larix  communis  pendula 
Godsalii.  Larix  Grffithii,  the  Sikkin  Larch,  and  Abies  koemferi  (though  at 
present  classed  as  an  Alks,  we  believe  may  prove  to  be  Larch),  are  two  very 
new  varieties,  too  expensive  :tt  present  to  be  generally  introduced.  A  Kmmferi, 
known  also  as  the  Golden  Pine  of  China,  is  very  highly  extolled  for  its  beauti- 
ful green  in  Summer,  and  golden  color  in  Autumn  or  Winter.-  11.  W,  S. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


243 


In  the  upper  part  of  Massachusetts,  we  have  observed 
them  in  their  native  soils  growing  70  or  80  feet  high,  and 
assuming  a  highly  pleasing  appearance.  Their  foliage  is 
bluish-green,  and  more  delicate ;  yet  altogether  the  Ame- 
rican Larch  appears  to  be  more  stiff  and  formal  (except 
far  north)  than  the  foreign  tree. 


The  Virgilia  Tree.  Virgilia* 
Nat.  Ord.    Leguminacece.       Lin.  Sysi.    Decanclria,  Monogynia. 

This  fine  American  tree,  still  very  rare  in  our  orna- 
mental plantations,  is  a  native  of  West  Tennessee,  and  the 
banks  of  the  Kentucky  river,  and  in  its  wild  localities 
seems  confined  to  rather  narrow  limits.  It  was  named, 
when  first  discovered,  after  the  poet  Virgil,  whose 
agreeable  Georgics  have  endeared  him  to  all  lovers  of 
nature  and  a  country  life. 

The  Virgilia  is  certainly  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of 
all  that  class  of  trees  bearing  papilionaceous,  or  pea-shaped 
flowers,  and  pinnate  leaves,  of  which  the  common  locust 
may  serve  as  a  familiar  example.  It  grows  to  a  fine, 
rather  broad  head,  about  30  or  40  feet  high,  with  dense 
and  luxuriant  foliage — much  more  massy  and  finely  tufted 
than  that  of  most  other  pinnated-leaved  trees.  Each  leaf 
is  composed  of  seven  or  eight  leaflets,  three  or  four  inches 
long,  and  half  that  breadth,  the  whole  leaf  being  more  than 
a  foot  in  length.  These  expand  rather  late  in  the  spring, 
and  are,  about  the  middle  of  May,  followed  by  numerous 
terminal  racemes,  or  clusters,  of  the  most  delicate  and 
charming  pea-shaped  blossoms,  of  a  pure  white.  These 

*  Cladeastris  tinctona.    Torrey  and  Gray. 


LANDSCAPE  fiARDEXING. 


clusters  are  six  or  eight  inches  in  length,  a»d  quite  broad, 
the  flowers  daintily  formed,  and  arranged  in  a  much  more 
graceful,  loose,  and  easy  manner,  than  those  of  the  locust. 
They  have  a  very  agreeable,  slight  perfume,  especially  in 
the  evening,  and  the  whole  effect  of  the  tree,  when 
standing  singly  on  a  lawn  and  filled  with  blossoms,  is 
highly  elegant. 

When  the  blossoms  disappear,  they  are  followed  by  the 
pods,  about  the  fourth  of  an  inch  wide,  and  three  or  four 
inches  long,  containing  a  few  seeds.  These  ripen  in  July 
or  August. 

This  tree  is  frequently  called  the  Yellow-wood  in  its 
native  haunts — its  heart  wood  abounding  in  a  fine  yellow 
coloring  matter,  which,  however,  is  said  to  be  rather 
difficult  to  fix,  or  render  permanent.  The  bark  is 
beautifully  smooth,  and  of  a  greenish  grey  color.  In 
autumn,  the  leaves,  when  they  die  off,  take  a  lively  yellow 
tint. 

This  tree  grows  pretty  rapidly,  and  is  very  agreeable  in 
its  form  and  foliage,  even  while  young.  It  commences 
flowering  when  about  ten  or  fifteen  feet  high,  and  we  can 
recommend  it  with  confidence  to  the  amateur  of  choice 
trees  as  worthy  of  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  smallest 
collection. 

The  only  species  known  is  Virgilia  lutea.  It  was  first 
described  by  Michaux,  and  was  sent  to  England  about 
the  year  1812.  Quite  the  finest  planted  specimens  within 
our  knowledge  are  growing  in  some  of  the  old  seats  in  the 
northern  suburbs  of  Philadelphia,  where  there  are  several 
thirty  or  forty  feet  in  height,  and  exceedingly  beautiful, 
both  in  their  form  and  blossoms.  A  small  specimen 
on  our  lawn,  eighteen  feet  high,  blossoms  now  very  pro- 
fuselv. 


DECIDUOUS   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


245 


The  Paulownia  Tree.  Paulownia. 

Nat.  Ord.    ►Scrophulariaeeae.  Lin.  Syst.  

The  Paulownia  is  an  entirely  new  ornamental  tree,  ver) 
lately  introduced  into  our  gardens  and  pleasure-grounds 
from  Japan,  and  is  likely  to  prove  hardy  here,  wherever 
the  Ailantus  stands  the  winter,  being  naturally  from  the 
same  soil  and  climate  as  that  tree.  It  is  remarkable  for 
the  large  size  of  its  foliage,  and  the  great  rapidity  of  its 
growth.  The  largest  leaves  are  more  than  two  feet  in 
diameter,  slightly  rough  or  hairy,  and  serrated  on  the 
edges.  They  are  heart-shaped,  and  have  been  likened  to 
those  of  the  Catalpa,  but  they  perhaps  more  nearly  re- 
semble those  of  the  common  Sun-flower. 

In  its  growth,  this  tree,  while  young,  equals  or  exceeds 
the  Ailantus.  In  rich  soils,  near  Paris,  it  has  produced 
shoots,  in  a  single  season,  12  or  14  feet  in  length.  After 
being  two  or  three  years  planted,  it  commences  yielding 
its  blossoms  in  panicled  clusters.  These  are  bluish  lilac, 
of  an  open  mouthed,  tubular  form,  are  very  abundantly 
distributed,  and,  together  with  the  large  foliage,  and  the 
robust  habit  of  growth,  give  this  tree  a  gay  and  striking 
appearance.  Its  flower  buds  open  during  the  last  of 
April,  or  early  in  May,  and  have  a  slight,  syringa-like 
perfume. 

Should  the  Paulownia  prove  as  hardy  as  (from  our  fine 
dry  summers  for  ripening  its  wood)  we  confidently 
anticipate^  it  will  be  worthy  of  a  prominent  place  in  every 
arrangement  of  choice  ornamental  trees. 

*  We  doubt  if  this  tree  proves  quite  us  hardy  as  Mr.  Downing  believed. 
Our  own  trees,  some  of  the  oldest  in  the  country,  have  missed  their  bloom  for 
three  years— though  previously,  they  had  blossomed  regularly  and  well.  It 
is  not  impossible  that,  as  the  tree  gets  older,  and  its  growth  less  rampant,  it 
may  ripen  off  its  wood  better,  and  thus  be  in  a  better  condition  to  resist 
Spring  frosts.— II.  W.  S. 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING 


SECTION  V. 

LVERGREEN    ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 
The  History  and  Description  of  all  the  finest  Hardy  Evergreen  Trees.    Remarks  ou 

THEIR    EFFECTS    in    LANDSCAPE    GARDENING,    INDIVIDUALLY    AND    IN  COMPOSITION. 

Their  Cultivation,  etc.  The  Pines.  The  Firs.  The  Cedar  of  Lebanon,  and  the 
Deodar  Cedar.   The  Red  Cedar.   The  Arbor  Vita?.   The  Holly.   The  Yew,  etc. 

Beneath  the  forest's  skirt  I  rest, 

Whose  branching  Pines  rise  dark  and  high, 

And  hear  the  breezes  of  the  West 
Among  the  threaded  foliage  sigh. 

Bryant 

The  Pine  Tree.  Pinus. 
Nat.  Ord.    Conifera.  Lin.  Syst.    Moncecia,  Monadelphia. 

H  E  Pines  compose  by  far  the  most 
important  genus  of  evergreen  trees. 
In  either  continent  they  form  the 
densest  and  most  extensive  forests 
known,  and  their  wood  in  civil  and  naval  architecture, 
and  for  various  other  purposes,  is  more  generally  used 
than  any  other.  In  the  United  States  and  the  Canadas, 
there  are  ten  species ;  in  the  territory  west  of  the 
Mississippi  to  the  Pacific,  including  Mexico,  there  are 
fourteen ;  in  Europe  fourteen  ;  in  Asia,  eight,  and  in 
Africa,  two  species.    All  the  colder  parts  of  the  old  world 


EVERGREEN   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


247 


— the  mountains  of  Switzerland  and  the  Alps,  the  shores 
of  the  Baltic,  vast  tracts  in  Norway,  Sweden,  Germany, 
Poland,  and  Russia,  as  well  as  millions  of  acres  in  our 
own  country,  abound  with  immense  and  interminable 
forests  of  Pine.  Capable  of  enduring  extreme  cold, 
growing  on  thin  soils,  and  flourishing  in  an  atmosphere, 
the  mean  temperature  of  which  is  not  greater  than  37°  or 
38°  Fahrenheit,  they  are  found  as  far  north  as  latitude 
68°  in  Lapland ;  while  on  mountains  they  grow  at  a 
greater  elevation  than  any  other  arborescent  plant.  On 
Mount  Blanc,  the  Pines  grow  within  2,800  feet  of  the  line 
of  perpetual  snow.*  In  Mexico,  also,  Humboldt  found 
them  higher  than  any  other  tree ;  and  Lieut.  Glennie 
describes  them  as  growing  in  thick  forests  on  the  mountain 
of  Popocatapetl,  as  high  as  12,  693  feet,  beyond  which 
altitude  vegetation  ceases  entirely. f 

The  Pines  are,  most  of  them,  trees  of  considerable 
magnitude  and  lofty  growth,  varying  from  40  to  1 50  or 
even  200  feet  in  height  in  favorable  situations,  rising  with 
a  perpendicular  trunk,  which  is  rarely  divided  into 
branches  bearing  much  proportionate  size  to  the  main 
stem,  as  in  most  deciduous  trees.  The  branches  are 
much  more  horizontal  than  those  of  the  latter  class 
(excepting  the  Larch).  The  leaves  are  linear  or  needle- 
shaped,  and  are  always  found  arranged  in  little  parcels 
of  from  two  to  six,  the  number  varying  in  the  different 
species.  The  blossoms  are  produced  in  spring,  and  the 
seeds,  borne  in  cones,  are  not  ripened,  in  many  sorts,  until 
the  following  autumn.  Every  part  of  the  stem  abounds 
in  a  resinous  juice,  which  is  extracted,  and  forms  in  the 

*  Edinburgh  Phil.  Journ. 

*■  Proc.  Geological  Soc.  Lond.     Arb.  Brit. 


248 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


various  shapes  of  tar,  pitch,  rosin,  turpentine,  balsam,  etc., 
a  considerable  article  of  trade  and  export. 

As  ornamental  trees,  the  Pines  are  peculiarly  valuable 
for  the  deep  verdure  of  their  foliage,  which,  unchanged  by 
the  severity  of  the  seasons,  is  beautiful  at  all  periods,  and 
especially  so  in  winter  ;  for  the  picturesque  forms  which 
many  of  them  assume  when  fully  grown  ;  and  for  the 
effectual  shelter  and  protection  which  they  afford  in  cold, 
bleak,  and  exposed  situations.  We  shall  here  particular- 
ize those  species,  natives  of  either  hemisphere,  that  are 
most  valuable  to  the  planter,  and  are  also  capable  of 
enduring  the  open  air  of  the  middle  states. 

The  White  Pine  (P.  strobus),  called  also  Sapling  Pine, 
and  Apple  Pine,  in  various  parts  of  this  country,  and 
Weymouth  Pine  abroad,  is  undoubtedly  the  most  beautiful 
North  American  tree  of  the  genus.  The  foliage  is  much 
lighter  in  color,  more  delicate  in  texture,  and  the  whole 
tufting  of  the  leaves  more  airy  and  pleasing  than  that  of 
the  other  species.  It  is  also  beautiful  in  every  stage  of  its 
growth,  from  a  plant  to  a  stately  tree  of  150  feet.  When 
it  grows  in  strong  soil,  it  becomes  thick  and  compact  in  its 
head ;  but  its  most  beautiful  form  is  displayed  when  it 
stands  in  a  dry  and  gravelly  site ;  there  it  shoots  up  with  a 
majestic  and  stately  shaft,  studded  every  six  or  eight  feet 
with  horizontal  tiers  of  branches  and  foliage.  The  hue  of 
the  leaves  is  much  paler  and  less  sombre  than  that  of  the 
other  native  sorts;  and  being  less  stiffly  set  upon  the 
branches,  is  more  easily  put  in  motion  by  the  wind ;  the 
murmuring  of  the  wind  among  the  Pine  tops  is,  poetically 
thought  to  give  out  rather  a  melancholy  sound : — 

"  The  pines  of  Moenalus  were  heard  to  mourn, 
And  sounds  of  woe  along  the  grove  wore  borne," 


EVERGREEN   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


249 


says  Virgil,  speaking  of  the  European  Pine.  But  the 
murmur  of  the  slight  breeze  among  the  foliage  of  the 
White  Pine  gives  out  a  remarkably  soothing  and  agreeable 
sound,  which  agrees  better  with  the  description  of  Leigh 
Hunt : 

"  And  then  there  fled  by  me  a  rush  of  air 
That  stin-'d  up  all  the  other  foliage  there, 
Filling  the  solitude  with  panting  tongues, 
At  which  the  Pines  woke  up  into  their  songs, 
Shaking  their  choral  locks." 

Pickering,  one  of  our  own  poets,  thus  characterizes  the 
melody : 

"  The  overshadowing  pines  alone,  through  which  I  roam, 
Their  verdure  keep,  although  it  darker  looks  ; 
And  hark  !  as  it  comes  sighing  through  the  grove, 
The  exhausted  gale,  a  spirit  there  awakens, 
That  wild  and  melancholy  music  makes." 

This  species — the  White  Pine — seldom  becomes  flattened 
or  rounded  on  the  summit  in  old  age,  like  many  other  sorts, 
but  preserves  its  graceful  and  tapering  form  entire.  From 
its  pleasing  growth  and  color,  we  consider  it  by  far  the 
most  desirable  kind  for  planting  in  the  proximity  of 
buildings,  and  its  growth  for  an  evergreen  is  also  quite 
rapid. 

The  leaves  of  the  White  Pine  are  thickly  disposed  on 
the  branches,  in  little  bundles  or  parcels  of  five.  The 
cones  are  about  five  inches  long :  they  hang,  when  nearly 
ripe,  in  a  pendulous  manner  from  the  branches,  and  open, 
to  shed  their  seeds,  about  the  first  of  October.  The  bark 
on  trees  less  than  twenty  years  old  is  remarkably  smooth, 
but  becomes  cracked  and  rough,  like  that  of  the  othei 


250 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Pines,  when  they  grow  old,  although  it  never  splits  and 
separates  itself  from  the  trunk  in  scales,  as  in  other  species. 

The  great  forests  of  White  Pine  lie  in  the  northern  parts 
of  the  Union  ;  and  the  geographical  range  of  this  tree  is 
comprised  chiefly  between  New  York  and  the  47th  degree 
of  north  latitude,  it  being  neither  capable  of  resisting  the 
fierce  heat  of  the  south,  nor  the  intense  cold  of  the  extreme 
northern  regions.  In  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  and 
Vermont,  the  White  Pine  abounds  in  various  situations, 
adapting  itself  to  every  variety  of  soil,  from  dry,  gravelly 
upland,  to  swamps  constantly  wet.  Michaux  measured 
two  trunks  near  the  river  Kennebec,  one  of  which  was 
154  feet  long,  and  54  inches  in  diameter;  the  other  144 
feet  long,  and  44  inches  in  diameter,  at  three  feet  from  the 
ground.  Dr.  Dwight  also  mentions  a  specimen  on  the 
Kattskill  249  feet  long,  and  several  on  the  Unadilla  200 
feet  long,  and  three  in  diameter.*  These,  though  they  are 
remarkable  specimens,  show  the  stately  altitude  which  this 
fine  species  sometimes  attains,  equalling  in  majesty  the 
grandest  specimens  of  the  old  world : 

 The  rougher  rinded  Pine, 

The  great  Argoan  ship's  brave  ornament, 
Which,  coveting  with  his  high  top's  extent 
To  make  the  mountains  touch  the  stars  divine, 
Decks  all  the  forest  with  embellishment. 

Spenser. 

The  Yellow  Pine  (P.  mitis)  is  a  fine  evergreen,  usually 
reaching  a  stature  of  50  or  60  feet,  with  a  nearly  uniform 
diameter  of  about  18  inches  for  two-thirds  of  its  length. 
The  branches  generally  take  a  handsome  conical  shape,  and 
the  whole  head  considerably  resembles  that  of  the  spruce, 

*  Dwight's  Travels,  Vol.  iv.  p.  21—26. 


EVERGREEN   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


251 


whence  it  is  sometimes  called  the  Spruce  Pine.  The  term 
Yellow  Pine  arises  from  the  color  of  the  wood  as  contrasted 
with  that  of  the  foregoing  sort,  which  is  white.  The  leaves 
of  this  species  are  long  and  flexible,  arranged  in  pairs  upon 
the  branches,  and  have  a  fine  dark  green  color.  The  cones 
are  very  small,  scarcely  measuring  an  inch  and  a  half  in 
length,  and  are  clothed  on  the  exterior  with  short  spines. 
The  growth  is  quite  slow. 

The  Yellow  Pine  is  rarely  found  above  Albany  to  the 
northward,  but  it  extends  as  far  south  as  the  Floridas.  It 
grows  in  the  greatest  abundance  in  New  Jersey,  Maryland, 
and  Virginia,  and  sometimes  measures  five  or  six  feet  in 
circumference.  In  plantations,  it  has  the  valuable  property 
to  recommend  it,  of  growing  on  the  very  poorest  lands. 

The  Pitch  Pine  (P.  rigida)  is  a  very  distinct  sort, 
common  in  the  whole  of  the  United  States  east  of  the 
Alleghanies.  It  is  very  stiff  and  formal  in  its  growth  when 
young,  but  as  it  approaches  maturity,  it  becomes  one  of  the 
most  picturesque  trees  of  the  genus.  The  branches, 
which  shoot  out  horizontally,  bend  downwards  at  the 
extremities,  and  the  top  of  the  tree,  when  old,  takes  a 
flattened  shape.  The  whole  air  and  expression  of  the  tree 
is  wild  and  romantic,  and  is  harmonious  with  portions  of 
scenery  where  these  characters  predominate.  The  leaves 
are  collected  in  threes,  and  the  color  of  the  foliage  is  a  dark 
green.  The  cones  are  pyramidal,  from  one  to  three  inches 
long,  and  armed  with  short  spines. 

The  bark  of  this  kind  of  Pine  is  remarkably  rough, 
black,  and  furrowed,  even  upon  young  trees  ;  and  the  wood 
is  filled  with  resinous  sap,  from  which  pitch  and  tar  are 
copiously  supplied.  The  trees  grow  in  various  parts  of 
the  country,  both  on  the  most  meagre  soils  and  in  moist 


252 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


swamps,  with  almost  equal  facility.  In  the  latter  situations 
they  are,  however,  comparatively  destitute  of  resin,  but  the 
stems  often  rise  to  80  feet  in  elevation. 

The  foregoing  are  the  finest  and  most  important  species 
of  the  north.  The  Red  Pine  (Pinus  rubra)  and  the  Grey 
Pine  are  species  of  small  or  secondary  size,  chiefly  indige- 
nous to  British  America.  The  Jersey  Pine  (P.  inops)  is  a 
dwarfish  species,  often  called  the  Scrub  Pine,  which  seldom 
grows  more  than  25  feet  high. 

There  are  some  splendid  species  that  are  confined  to 
the  southern  states,  where  they  grow  in  great  luxuriance. 
Among  the  most  interesting  of  these  is  the  Long-leaved 
Pine  (P.  Australis),  a  tree  of  70  feet  elevation,  with  superb 
wandlike  foliage,  borne  in  threes,  often  nearly  a  foot  in 
length.  The  cones  are  also  seven  or  eight  inches  long, 
containing  a  kernel  or  seed  of  agreeable  flavor.  As  this 
tree  grows  as  far  north  as  Norfolk  in  Virginia,  we  are 
strongly  inclined  to  believe  that  it  might  be  naturalized  in 
the  climate  of  the  middle  states,  and  think  it  would  become 
one  of  the  most  valuable  additions  to  our  catalogue  of  ever- 
green trees.  The  Loblolly  Pine  (P.  Tasda)  of  Virginia 
has  also  fine  foliage,  six  inches  or  more  in  length,  and 
grows  to  80  feet  in  height.  Besides  these  already  named, 
the  southern  states  produce  the  Pond  Pine  (P  Serotina), 
which  resembles  considerably  the  Pitch  Pine,  with,  how- 
ever, longer  leaves,  and  the  Table  Mountain  Pine  (P.  Pun- 
gens),  which  grows  40  or  50  feet  high,  and  is  found  exclu- 
sively upon  that  part  of  the  Alleghany  range. 

We  must  not  forget  in  this  enumeration  of  the  Pines  of 
North  America,  the  magnificent  species  of  California  and 
!he  North- West  coast.  The  most  splendid  of  these  was 
discovered  in  Northern  California,  and  named  the  Pinus 


EVERGREEN    ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


253 


Lambei-tiana,  in  honor  of  that  distinguished  botanist,  A.  B. 
Lambert,  Esq.,  of  London,  the  author  of  a  superb  work  on 
this  genus  of  trees.  It  is  undoubtedly  one  of  the  finest 
evergreens  in  the  world,  averaging  from  100  to  200  feet  in 
height.  Its  discoverer,  Mr.  Douglass,  the  indefatigable 
collector  of  the  Horticultural  Society  of  London,  measured 
one  of  these  trees  that  had  blown  down,  which  was  two 
hundred  and  fifteen  feet  in  length,  and  fifty-seven  feet  nine 
inches  in  circumference,  at  three  feet  from  the  root ;  while 
at  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  feet  from  the  root,  it  was 
seventeen  feet  five  inches  in  girth.  This,  it  is  stated,  is  by 
no  means  the  maximum  height  of  the  species.  The  cones 
of  the  Lambert  Pine  measure  sixteen  inches  in  length ;  and 
the  seeds  are  eaten  by  the  natives  of  those  regions,  either 
roasted  or  made  into  cakes,  after  being  pounded.  The  other 
species  found  by  Mr.  Douglass  grow  naturally  in  the 
mountain  valleys  of  the  western  coast,  and  several  of  them, 
as  the  Pinas  grandis  and  nobilis,  are  almost  as  lofty  as 
the  foregoing  sort ;  while  Pinus  monticola  and  P.  Sabi- 
niana  are  highly  beautiful  in  their  forms  and  elegant  in 
foliage.  The  seeds  of  nearly  all  these  sorts  were  first  sent 
to  the  garden  of  the  London  Horticultural  Society,  where 
many  of  the  young  trees  are  now  growing ;  and  we  hope 
that  they  will  soon  be  introduced  into  our  plantations, 
which  they  are  so  admirably  calculated,  by  their  elegant 
foliage  and  stupendous  magnitude,  to  adorn. 

The  European  Pines  next  deserve  our  attention.  The 
most  common  species  in  the  north  of  Europe  is  the  Scotch 
Pine  (P.  sylvestris) ,  a  dark,  tall,  evergreen  tree,  with  bluish 
foliage,  of  80  feet  in  height,  which  furnishes  most  of  the 
deal  timber  of  Europe.  It  is  one  of  the  most  rapid  of  all 
the  Pines  in  its  growth,  even  on  poor  soils,  and  is  therefore 


254 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


valuable  in  new  places.  The  Stone  Pine  (P.  pined)  is  a 
native  of  the  South  of  Europe,  where  it  is  decidedly  the 
most  picturesque  evergreen  tree  of  that  continent.  It 
belongs  peculiarly  to  Italy,  and  its  "  vast  canopy,  supported 
on  a  naked  column  of  great  height,  forms  one  of  the  chief 
and  peculiar  beauties  in  Italian  scenery,  and  in  the  living 
landscapes  of  Claude.'"'  We  regret  that  it  is  too  tender  to 
bear  our  winters,  but  its  place  may  in  a  great  measure  be 
supplied  by  the  Pinaster  or  Cluster  Pine  (P.  pinaster), 
which  is  quite  hardy,  and  succeeds  well  in  the  United 
States.  This  has  much  of  the  same  picturesque  expression, 
depressed  or  rounded  head,  and  tall  columnar  stem,  which 
mark  the  Stone  Pine  ;  while  its  thickly  massed  foliage, 
clustering  cones,  and  rough  bark,  render  it  distinct  and 
strikingly  interesting. 

The  Corsican  Pine  (P.  larica)  is  a  handsome,  regular 
shaped,  pyramidal  tree,  with  the  branches  disposed  in  tiers 
like  those  of  the  White  Pine.  It  grows  to  a  large  size,  and 
is  valued  for  its  extremely  dark  green  foliage,  thickly  spread 
upon  the  branches.  It  is  also  one  of  the  most  rapid  growers 
among  the  foreign  sorts,  and  has  been  found  to  grow 
remarkably  well  upon  the  barren  chalk  downs  of  England. 
Pinus  cembra  is  a  very  slow  growing,  though  valuable 
kind,  indigenous  to  Switzerland,  and  hardy  here. 

These  are  the  principal  European  species  that  deserve 
notice  here  for  their  ornamental  qualities.  Some  splendid 
additions  have  been  made  to  this  genus,  by  the  discovery 
of  new  species  on  the  Himalaya  mountains  of  Asia ;  and 
from  the  great  elevation  at  which  they  are  found  growing 
wild,  we  have  reason  to  hope  that  they  will  become  natu- 
ralized in  our  climate. 

We  must  not  leave  this  extensive  family  of  trees  without 


EVERGREEN    ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


255 


adverting  to  their  numerous  and  important  uses.  In  the 
United  States,  full  four-fifths  of  all  the  houses  built  are  con-  » 
structed  of  the  White  and  Yellow  Pine,  chiefly  of  the  former. 
Soft,  easily  worked,  light  and  tine  in  texture,  it  is  almost 
universally  employed  in  carpentry,  and  for  all  the  purposes 
of  civil  architecture ;  while  the  tall  stately  trunks  furnish 
masts  and  spars,  not  only  for  our  own  vessels,  but  many  of 
those  of  England.  A  great  commerce  is  therefore  carried 
on  in  the  timber  of  this  tree,  and  vast  quantities  of  the 
boards,  etc.,  are  annually  exported  to  Europe.  The  Yellow 
and  Pitch  Pine  furnish  much  of  the  enormous  supplies  of 
fuel  consumed  by  the  great  number  of  steamboats  employed 
in  navigating  our  numerous  inland  rivers.  The  Long- 
leaved  Pine  is  the  great  timber  tree  of  the  southern  states ; 
and  when  we  take  into  account  all  its  various  products,  we 
must  admit  it  to  be  the  most  valuable  tree  of  the  whole 
family.  The  consumption  of  the  wood  of  this  tree  in  build- 
ing, in  the  southern  states,  is  immense  ;  and  its  sap  furnishes 
nearly  all  the  turpentine,  tar,  pitch,  and  rosin,  used  in  this 
country,  or  exported  to  Europe.  The  turpentine  flows  from 
large  incisions  made  in  the  trunk  (into  boxes  fastened  to 
the  side  of  the  trees  for  that  purpose)  during  the  whole  of 
the  spring  and  summer.  Spirit  of  turpentine  is  obtained 
from  this  by  distillation.  Tar  is  procured  by  burning  the 
dead  wood  in  kilns,  when  it  flows  out  in  a  current  from  a 
conduit  made  in  the  bottom.  Pitch  is  prepared  by  boiling 
tar  until  it  is  about  one  half  diminished  in  bulk ;  and  rosin 
is  the  residuum  of  the  distillation  when  spirit  of  turpentine 
is  made.  The  Carolinas  produce  all  these  in  the  greatest 
abundance,  and  so  long  ago  as  1807,  the  exportation  of 
them  to  England  alone  amounted  to  nearly  $800,000  in 
that  single  year. 


256 


LANDSCA1E  GARDENING. 


The  Fir  Trees.  Abies. 

Nat   Ord.    Conil'erae.  Lin.  Syst.    Monoecfa,  Monadelphia. 

The  Fir  trees  differ  from  the  Pines,  to  which  they  are 
nearly  related,  in  having  much  shorter  leaves,  which  are 
placed  singly  upon  the  branches,  instead  of  being  collected 
in  little  bundles  or  parcels  of  two,  three,  or  five,  as  is  the 
case  in  all  Pines.  They  generally  grow  in  a  more  conical 
manner  than  the  latter,  and  in  ornamental  plantations  owe 
their  beauty  in  most  cases  more  to  their  symmetrical 
regularity  of  growth  than  to  picturesque  expression. 

The  Balsam,  or  Balm  of  Gilead  Fir  (A.  balsamea), 
sometimes  also  called  the  American  Silver  Fir,  is  one  of 
the  most  ornamental  of  our  native  evergreens.  It  is  found 
most  abundantly  in  Maine  and  Nova  Scotia,  but  is 
scattered  more  or  less  on  the  mountain  tops,  and  in  cold 
swamps,  through  various  other  parts  of  the  Union.  At 
Pine  Orchard,  near  the  Catskill  Mountain-house,  it 
flourishes  well,  though  never  seen  below  the  elevation  of 
1,800  feet.  When  standing  singly,  it  forms  a  perfect 
pyramid  of  fine  dark  green  foliage,  30  or  40  feet  high, 
regularly  clothed  from  the  bottom  to  the  top.  The  leaves, 
about  half  or  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  are  silvery 
white  on  the  under  surface,  though  dark  green  above ;  and 
are  inserted  both  on  the  sides  and  tops  of  the  branches.  It 
is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  evergreens  for  planting  in 
grounds  near  the  house,  and  is  perhaps  more  cultivated  for 
that  purpose  than  any  other  in  the  Union.  The  cones, 
which  are  four  or  five  inches  long,  like  those  of  the 
European  Silver  Fir  point  upwards.  However  small  the 
plants  of  this  Fir  may  be,  they  are  still  interesting,  as  they 


Fig.  37.   The  Silver  Fir,  at  th3  residence  of  Dr.  Johnson.  Germantovm,  Pa. 
Age  57  years,  height  100  feet. 


EVERGREEN   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


257 


display  the  same  symmetiy  as  full  grown  trees.  The  deep 
green  color  of  the  verdure  of  the  Balm  of  Gilead  Fir  is 
retained  unchanged  in  all  its  beauty  through  the  severest 
winters,  which  causes  it  to  contrast  agreeably  with  the 
paler  tints  of  the  Spruces.  On  the  trunks  of  trees  of  this 
species  are  found  small  vesicles  or  blisters,  filled  with  a 
liquid  resin,  which  is  extracted  and  sold  under  the  name 
of  Balm  of  Gilead,*  for  its  medicinal  virtues. 

The  European  Silver  Fir  (A.picea)  strongly  resembles, 
when  young,  the  Balsam  Fir.  But  its  leaves  are  longer 
and  coarser,  and  the  cones  are  much  larger,  while  it  also 
attains  twice  or  three  times  the  size  of  the  latter.  In  the 
forests  of  Germany  it  sometimes  rises  over  100  feet  ;  and 
it  always  becomes  a  large  tree  in  a  favorable  soil.  It 
grows  slowly  during  the  first  twenty  years,  but  afterwards 
advances  with  much  more  rapidity.  It  thrives  well,  and 
is  quite  hardy  in  this  country. 

The  Norway  Spruce  Fir  (A.  communis])  is  by  far  the 
handsomest  of  that  division  of  the  Firs  called  the  Spruces. 
It  generally  rises  with  a  perfectly  straight  trunk  to  the 
neight  of  from  80  to  150  feet.  It  is  a  native,  as  its  name 
denotes,  of  the  colder  parts  of  Europe,  and  consequently 
stows  well  in  the  northern  states.  The  branches  hang 
down  with  a  fine  graceful  curve  or  sweep  ;  and  although 
the  leaves  are  much  paler  than  those  of  the  foregoing 
kinds,  yet  the  thick  fringe-like  tufts  of  foliage  which  clothe 
the  branches,  give  the  whole  tree  a  rich,  dark  appearance. 
The  large  cones,  too,  always  nearly  six  inches  long,  are 

*  The  true  Balm  ot  Gilead  is  an  Asiatic  herb,  Amyris  gileadensis. 
t  Abies  excelsa. 

n 


258 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


beautifully  pendent,  and  greatly  increase  the  beauty  of  an 
old  tree  of  this  kind. 

The  Norway  Spruce  is  the  great  tree  of  the  Alps ;  and 
as  a  park  tree,  to  stand  alone,  we  scarcely  know  a  more 
beautiful  one.  It  then  generally  branches  not  quite  down 
to  the  ground  ;  and  its  fine,  sweeping,  feathery  branches 
hang  down  in  the  most  graceful  and  pleasing  manner. 
There  are  some  superb  specimens  of  this  species  in  various 
gardens  of  the  middle  states,  80  or  100  feet  high. 

The  Black,  or  Double  Spruce  (A.  nigra),  sometimes  also 
called  the  Red  Spruce,  is  very  common  in  the  north ;  and, 
according  to  Michaux,  forms  a  third  part  of  the  forests  of 
Vermont,  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  as  well  as  New  Bruns- 
wick and  Lower  Canada.  The  leaves  are  quite  short  and 
stiff,  and  clothe  the  young  branches  around  the  whole 
surface ;  and  the  whole  tree,  where  it  much  abounds,  has 
rather  a  gloomy  aspect.  In  the  favorable  humid  black  soils 
of  those  countries,  the  Black  Spruce  grows  70  feet  high, 
forming  a  fine  tall  pyramid  of  verdure.  But  it  is  rarely 
found  in  abundance  further  south,  except  in  swamps,  where 
its  growth  is  much  less  strong  and  vigorous.  Mingled 
with  other  evergreens,  it  adds  to  the  variety,  and  the 
peculiar  coloring  of  its  foliage  gives  value  to  the  livelier 
tints  of  other  species  of  Pine  and  Fir. 

The  White  or  Single  Spruce  (A.  alba)  is  a  smaller  and 
less  common  tree  than  the  foregoing,  though  it  is  often 
found  in  the  same  situations.  The  leaves  are  more  thinly 
arranged  on  the  young  shoots,  and  they  are  longer  and 
project  more  from  the  branches.  The  color,  however,  is  a 
distinguishing  characteristic  between  the  two  sorts  ;  for 
while  in  the  Black  Spruce  it  is  very  dark,  in  this  species  it 


EVERGREEN    ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


h  of  a  light  bluish  green  tint.  The  cones  are  also  mucn 
larger  on  the  White  Spruce  tree. 

The  Hemlock  Spruce,  or,  as  it  is  more  commonly  called, 
the  Hemlock  (A.  canadensis),  is  one  of  the  finest  and  most 
distinct  of  this  tribe  of  trees.  It  is  most  abundantly 
multiplied  in  the  extreme  northern  portions  of  the  Union  ; 
and  abounds  more  or  less,  in  scattered  groups  and  thickets, 
throughout  all  the  middle  states,  while  at  the  south  it  is 
confined  chiefly  to  the  mountains. 

It  prefers  a  soil,  which,  though  slightly  moist,  is  less  humid 
than  that  where  the  Black  Spruce  succeeds  best ;  and  it 
thrives  well  in  the  deep  cool  shades  of  mountain  valleys. 
In  the  Highlands  of  the  Hudson  it  grows  in  great  luxuri- 
ance ;  and  in  one  locality,  the  sides  of  a  valley  near  Crow's 
nest,  the  surface  is  covered  with  the  most  superb  growths 
of  this  tree,  reaching  up  from  the  water's  edge  to  the  very 
summit  of  the  hill,  1,400  feet  high,  like  a  rich  and  shadowy 
mantle,  sprinkled  here  and  there  only  with  the  lighter  and 
more  delicate  foliage  of  deciduous  trees. 

The  average  height  of  the  Hemlock  in  good  soils  is  about 
70  or  80  feet ;  and  when  standing  alone,  or  in  very  small 
groups,  it  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  coniferous  trees.  The 
leaves  are  disposed  in  two  rows  on  each  side  of  the  branches, 
and  considerably  resemble  those  of  the  Yew,  though  looser 
in  texture,  and  livelier  in  color.  The  foliage,  when  the 
tree  has  grown  to  some  height,  hangs  from  the  branches  in 
loose  pendulous  tufts,  which  give  it  a  peculiarly  graceful 
appearance.  When  young,  the  form  of  the  head  is 
regularly  pyramidal ;  but  when  the  tree  attains  more  age, 
it  often  assumes  very  irregular  and  picturesque  forms. 


260 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Sometimes  it  grows  up  in  a  thick,  dense,  dark  mass  of 
foliage,  only  varied  by  the  pendulous  branches,  which 
project  beyond  the  grand  mass  of  the  tree  ;  at  others  it 
forms  a  loose,  airy,  and  graceful  top,  permeable  to  the 
slightest  breeze,  and  waving  its  loose  tufts  of  leaves  to 
every  passing  breath  of  air.  In  almost  all  cases,  it  is 
extremely  ornamental,  and  we  regret  that  it  is  not  more 
generally  employed  in  decorating  the  grounds  of  our 
residences.  It  should  be  transplanted  (like  all  of  this  class 
of  trees)  quite  early  in  the  spring,  the  roots  being  preserved 
as  nearly  entire  as  possible,  and  not  suffered  to  become  the 
least  dried,  before  they  are  replaced  in  the  soil. 

The  uses  of  the  Fir  tree  are  important.  The  Norway 
Spruce  Fir  furnishes  the  white  deal  timber  so  extensively 
employed  in  Europe  for  all  the  various  purposes  of 
building ;  and  its  tall,  tapering  stems  afford  fine  masts  for 
vessels.  The  Black  Spruce  timber  is  also  highly  valuable, 
and  is  thought  by  many  persons  to  surpass  in  excellence 
that  of  the  Norway  Spruce.  The  young  shoots  also  enter 
into  the  composition  of  the  celebrated  Spruce  beer  of  this 
country,  a  delightful  and  very  healthful  beverage.  And 
the  Hemlock  not  only  furnishes  a  vast  quantity  of  the 
joists  used  in  building  frame-houses,  but  supplies  the 
tanners  with  an  abundance  of  bark,  which,  when  mixed 
with  that  of  the  oak,  is  highly  esteemed  in  the  preparation 
of  leather. 

We  regret  that  the  fine  evergreen  trees  both  of  this 
country  and  Europe,  which  compose  the  Pine  and  Fir 
tribes,  have  not  hitherto  received  more  of  the  attention 
of  planters.    It  is  inexpressible  how  much  they  add  to  the 


EVERGREEN   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


26! 


beauty  of  a  country  residence  in  winter.  At  that  season, 
when,  during  three  or  four  months  the  landscape  is 
bleak  and  covered  with  snow,  these  noble  trees,  properly 
intermingled  with  the  groups  in  view  from  the  window, 
or  those  surrounding  the  house,  give  an  appearance  of 
verdure  and  life  to  the  scene  which  cheats  winter  of  half 
its  dreariness.  In  exposed  quarters,  also,  and  in  all  windy 
and  bleak  situations,  groups  of  evergreens  form  the  most 
effectual  shelter  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  while  many 
of  them  have  the  great  additional  recommendation  of 
growing  upon  the  most  meagre  soils. 

In  fine  country  residences  abroad,  it  is  becoming 
customary  to  select  some  extensive  and  suitable  locality, 
where  all  the  species  of  Pines  and  Firs  are  collected 
together,  and  allowed  to  develope  themselves  in  their 
full  beauty  of  proportion.  Such  a  spot  is  called  a  Pinetum  ; 
and  the  effect  of  all  the  different  species  growing  in  the 
same  assemblage,  and  contrasting  their  various  forms, 
heights,  and  peculiarities,  cannot  but  be  strikingly  ele- 
gant. One  of  the  largest  and  oldest  collections  of  this 
kind  is  the  Pinetum  of  Lord  Grenville,  at  Dropmore,  near 
Windsor,  England.  This  contains  nearly  100  kinds, 
comprising  all  the  sorts  known  to  English  botanists,  that 
will  endure  the  open  air  of  their  mild  climate.  The  great 
advantage  of  these  Pinetums  is,  that  many  of  the  more 
delicate  species,  which  if  exposed  singly  would  perish, 
thrive  well,  and  become  quite  naturalized*  under  the  shelter 
of  the  more  hardy  and  vigorous  sorts. 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


The  Cedar  of  Lebanon,  Tree.  Cedrus 
Nat.  Ord.    Coniferse.  Lin.  Syst.    Moncecia,  Monadelphiit 

The  Cedar  of  Lebanon  is  universally  admitted  by 
European  authors  to  be  the  noblest  evergreen  tree  of 
the  old  world.  Its  native  sites  are  the  elevated  valleys 
and  ridges  of  Mount  Lebanon  and  the  neighboring  heights 
of  the  lofty  groups  of  Asia  Minor.  There  it  once  covered 
immense  forests,  but  it  is  supposed  these  have  never 
recovered  from  the  inroads  made  upon  them  by  the  forty 
score  thousand  hewers  employed  by  Solomon  to  procure 
the  timber  for  the  erection  of  the  Temple.  Modern 
travellers  speak  of  them  as  greatly  diminished  in  number, 
though  there  are  still  specimens  measuring  thirty-six  feet 
in  circumference.  Mount  Lebanon  is  inhabited  by  nu- 
merous Maronite  Christians,  who  hold  annually  a 
celebration  of  the  Transfiguration  under  the  shade  of 
the  existing  trees,  which  they  call  the  "  Feast  of  Cedars." 

The  Cedar  of  Lebanon  is  nearly  related  to  the  Larch, 
having  its  leaves  collected  in  parcels  like  that  tree,  but 
differs  widely  in  the  circumstance  of  its  foliage  being 
evergreen.  It  is  remarkable  for  the  wide  extension  of  its 
branches,  and  the  immense  surface  covered  by  its 
overshadowing  canopy  of  foliage.  In  the  sacred  writings 
it  is  often  alluded  to  as  an  emblem  of  great  strength,  beauty, 
and  duration.  "Behold  the  Assyrian  was  a  Cedar  in 
Lebanon,  with  fair  branches,  and  with  a  shadowing  shroud, 
%nd  of  an  high  stature  ;  and  his  top  was  among  the  thick 
boughs.  His  boughs  were  multiplied,  and  his  branches 
became  long.    The  fir  trees  were  not  like  his  boughs,  nor 


o8. —Cedar  of  Lebaxox,  at  Woodlawn.  near  Princeton,  N.  J.    Height.  36  feet. 


EVERGREEN   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


263 


the  chestnut  trees  like  his  branches,  nor  any  tree  in  the 
garden  of  God  like  unto  him  in  beauty/'* 

In  England  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon  appears  to  have 
become  quite  naturalized.  There  it  is  considered  by  far 
the  most  ornamental  of  all  the  Pine  tribe, — possessing, 
when  full  grown,  an  air  of  dignity  and  grandeur  beyond 
any  other  tree.  To  attain  the  fullest  beauty  of  develop- 
ment, it  should  always  stand  alone,  so  that  its  far-spreading 
horizontal  branches  can  have  full  room  to  stretch  out  and 
expand  themselves  on  every  side.  Loudon,  in  his 
Arboretum,  gives  a  representation  of  a  superb  specimen 
now  growing  at  Sion  House,  the  seat  of  the  Duke  of 
Northumberland,  which  is  72  feet  high,  24  in  circum- 
ference, and  covers  an  area,  with  its  huge  depending 
branches,  of  117  feet.  There  are  many  other  Cedars  in 
England  almost  equal  to  this  in  grandeur.  Sir  T.  D. 
Lauder  gives  an  account  of  one  at  Whitton,  which  blew 
down  in  1779:  it  then  measured  70  feet  in  height,  16  feet 
in  circumference,  and  covered  an  area  of  100  feet  in 
diameter.  To  show  the  rapidity  of  the  growth  of  this  tree, 
he  quotes  three  Cedars  of  Lebanon,  which  were  planted  at 
Hopetoun  House,  Scotland,  in  the  year  1748.  The  mea- 
surement is  the  circumference  of  the  trunks,  and  shows 
the  rapid  increase  after  they  have  attained  a  large  size. 


1801. 

1820. 

1825. 

1833. 

Increase  in 
32  years. 

First  Cedar, 
Second  do. 
Third  do. 

ft.  in. 

10  0 
8  6 
7  10 

ft.  in. 

13  li 
10  9i 
9  9* 

ft.  in. 
14  0 
11  4 
10  8 

ft.  in. 
15  1 
12  3 
11  6 

ft.  in. 
5  1 
3  9 
3  8 

A  Chestnut  measured  at  the  same  periods,  only  increased    2  7 


Ezekiel  xxxi. 


264 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


From  the  above  table,  it  will  be  seen  how  congenial  eveji 
the  cold  climate  of  Scotland  is  to  the  growth  of  this  tree. 
Indeed  in  its  native  soils,  the  tops  of  the  surrounding  hills 
are  almost  perpetually  covered  with  snow,  and  it  is,  there- 
fore, one  of  the  very  hardiest  of  the  evergreens  of  the  old 
world.  There  is  no  reason  why  it  should  not  succeed 
admirably  in  many  parts  of  the  United  States  ;  and  when 
we  consider  its  great  size,  fine  dark  green  foliage,  and  wide 
spreading  limbs  which 

"  Overarching,  frame 

Most  solemn  domes  within," 

Shelley. 

as  well  as  the  many  interesting  associations  connected 
with  it,  we  cannot  but  think  it  better  worth  our  early 
attention,  and  extensive  introduction,  than  almost  any 
other  foreign  tree.  Evergreens  are  comparatively  difficult 
to  import,  and  as  we  have  made  the  experiment  of 
importing  Cedars  of  Lebanon  from  the  English  nurseries 
with  but  indifferent  success,  we  would*  advise  that  persons 
attempting  its  cultivation  should  procure  the  cones 
containing  the  seeds  from  England,  when  they  may  be 
reared  directly  in  our  own  soil,  which  will  of  course  be  an 
additional  advantage  to  the  future  growth  of  the  tree.* 

The  situations  found  to  be  most  favorable  to  this  Cedar, 
in  the  parks  and  gardens  of  Europe,  are  sandy  or  gravelly 
soils,  either  with  a  moist  subsoil  underneath,  or  in  the 
neighborhood  of  springs,  or  bodies  of  water.  In  such  places 
it  is  found  to  advance  with  a  rapidity  equal  to  the  Larch; 

*  The  finest  Cedar  of  Lebanon  in  the  Union,  is  growing  in  the  grounds  of 
T.  Ash,  Esq.,  of  Westchester  Co.,  N.  Y.,  being  50  feet  high  and  of 
corresponding  breadth.  It  stands  near  a  Purple-leaved  Beech,  equally  largo 
and  beautiful. 


EVERGREEN   ORNAMENTAL  TREES, 


265 


one  of  the  fastest  growing  timber  trees,  as  we  have  already 
noticed. 

The  Deodara,  or  Indian  Cedar  (Cedrus  Deodara),  is  a 
magnificent  species  of  this  tree,  recently  introduced  from 
the  high  mountains  of  Nepal  and  Indo-Tartary.  It  stands 
the  climate  of  Scotland,  and  appears  likely  to  succeed  here 
wherever  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon  will  flourish.  In  its  native 
country  it  is  described  as  being  a  lofty  and  majestic  tree, 
frequently  attaining  the  height  of  150  feet,  with  a  trunk  30 
feet  in  circumference.  The  leaves  are  larger  than  those 
of  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon,  of  a  deeper  bluish  green,  covered 
with  a  silvery  bloom  ;  the  cones,  borne  in  pairs,  are  of  a 
reddish  brown  color,  and  are  both  longer  and  broader  than 
those  of  the  latter  species.  In  some  parts  of  Upper  India 
it  is  considered  a  sacred  tree  {Deodara — tree  of  God),  and 
is  only  used  to  burn  as  incense  in  days  of  high  ceremony ; 
but  in  others  it  is  held  in  the  highest  esteem  as  a  timber 
tree,  having  all  the  good  qualities  of  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon 
— its  great  durability  being  attested  by  its  sound  state  in 
the  roofs  of  temples  of  that  country,  which  cannot  have 
been  built  less  than  200  years. 

We  have  but  just  introduced  the  Deodara  into  the  United 
States,  and  can  therefore  say  little  of  its  growth  or  beauty 
here,  though  we  have  little  doubt  that  it  will  prove  one  of 
the  noblest  evergreen  trees  for  our  pleasure  grounds.  Lou- 
don says,  "  the  specimens  in  England  are  yet  small ;  but 
the  feathery  lightness  of  its  spreading  branches,  and  the 
beautiful  glaucous  hue  of  its  leaves,  render  it,  even  when 
young,  one  of  the  most  ornamental  of  the  coniferous  trees  ; 
and  all  the  travellers  who  have  seen  it  full  grown,  agree 
that  it  unites  an  extraordinary  degree  of  majesty  and  gran- 
deur with  its  beauty.    The  tree  thrives  in  every  part  of 


200 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Great  Britain  where  it  has  been  tried,  even  as  far  north  as 
Aberdeen,  where,  as  in  many  other  places,  it  is  found 
hardier  than  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon.  It  is  readily  propa- 
gated by  seeds,  which  preserve  their  vitality  when  imported 
in  the  cones.  It  also  grows  freely  by  cuttings,  which  appeal 
to  make  as  handsome  free-growing  plants  as  those  raised 
from  seed."  The  soil  and  culture  for  this  tree  are  pre- 
cisely those  for  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon. 


The  Red  Cedar  Tree.  Juniperus. 

Nat.  Ord.    Coniferae.  Lin.  Syst.    Dioecia,  Monadelphia. 

The  Red  Cedar  is  a  very  common  tree,  indigenous  to 
this  country,  and  growing  in  considerable  abundance  from 
Maine  to  Florida  ;  but  thriving  with  the  greatest  luxuriance 
in  the  sea-board  states.  When  fully  grown,  the  Red  Cedar 
is  about  40  feet  in  height,  and  little  more  than  a  foot  m 
diameter.  The  leaves  are  very  small,  composed  of  minute 
scales,  and  lie  pretty  close  to  the  branches.  Small  blut 
berries,  borne  thickly  upon  the  branches  of  the  female  trees 
in  autumn  and  winter,  contain  the  seeds.  These  are 
covered  with  a  whitish  exudation,  and  are  sometimes  used, 
like  those  of  the  foreign  juniper,  in  the  manufacture  of  gin. 

The  Red  Cedar  has  less  to  recommend  it  to  the  eye  than 
most  of  the  evergreens  which  we  have  already  described. 
The  color  of  the  foliage  is  dull  and  dingy  at  many  seasons, 
and  the  form  of  the  young  tree  is  too  compactly  conical  to 
please  generally.  When  old,  however,  we  have  seen  it 
throw  off  this  formality,  and  become  an  interesting,  and 
'ndeed  a  picturesque  tree.   Then  its  branches  shooting  out 


EVERGREEN   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


267 


in  a  horizontal  direction,  clad  with  looser  and  more  pendenl 
foliage,  give  the  whole  tree  quite  another  character.  The 
twisted  stems,  too,  when  they  become  aged,  have  a  singular, 
dried-looking,  whitish  bark,  which  is  quite  unique  and 
peculiar.  There  is  a  very  fine  natural  avenue  of  Red 
Cedars  near  Fishkill  landing,  in  Duchess  Co.,  composed  of 
two  rows  of  noble  trees  35  or  40  feet  high,  which  is  a  very 
agreeable  walk  in  winter  and  early  spring.  This  has  given 
the  name  of  Cedar  Grove  to  the  country  seat  in  question, 
where  the  Red  Cedar  grows  spontaneously  upon  a  slate 
subsoil  with  great  luxuriance.  There  the  trees  are  dis- 
seminated widely  by  the  birds,  which  feed  with  avidity 
upon  the  berries. 

The  Red  Cedar  is  well  known  to  every  person  as  one  of 
our  very  best  timber  trees.  It  takes  its  name  from  the 
reddish  hue  of  the  perfect  wood.  This  has  a  fragrant  odor, 
and  is  not  only  light,  fine-grained,  and  close  in  texture,  but 
extremely  durable.  It  is  therefore  much  employed  (though 
of  late  it  is  becoming  scarcer)  in  conjunction  with  Live 
oak,  which  is  too  heavy  alone,  in  ship-building.  It  is  also 
valued  for  its  great  durability  as  posts  for  fencing;  and  is 
exported  to  Europe,  to  be  used  in  the  manufacture  of  pen- 
cils, and  other  useful  purposes. 


The  Arbor  Vit^e  Tree.  Thuja. 

Nat.  Ord.    Coniferae.  Lin.  Syst.    Moncecia,  Monadelphia. 

The  Arbor  Vitas  {Thuja  oecidentalis),  sometimes  alsc 
called  Flat  Cedar,  or  White  Cedar,  is  distinguished  from 


268 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


most  evergreens  by  its  flat  foliage,  composed  of  a  great 
number  of  scales  closely  imbricated,  or  overlaying  each 
other,  which  give  the  whole  a  compressed  appearance. 
The  seeds  are  borne  in  a  small  cone,  usually  not  more  than 
half  an  inch  in  length. 

This  tree  is  extremely  formal  and  regular  in  outline 
in  almost  every  stage  of  growth  ;  generally  assuming  the 
shape  of  an  exact  cone  or  pyramid  of  close  foliage,  of  con- 
siderable extent  at  the  base,  close  to  the  ground,  and  nar- 
rowing upwards  to  a  sharp  point.  So  regular  is  their 
outline  in  many  cases,  when  they  are  growing  upon 
favorable  soils,  that  at  a  short  distance  they  look  as  if  they 
had  been  subjected  to  the  clipping-shears.  The  sameness 
of  its  form  precludes  the  employment  of  this  evergreen  in 
so  extensive  a  manner  as  most  others ;  that  is,  in  inter- 
mingling it  promiscuously  with  other  trees  of  less  artificial 
forms.  But  the  Arbor  Vitae,  from  this  very  regularity,  is 
well  suited  to  support  and  accompany  scenery  when  objects 
of  an  avowedly  artificial  character  predominate,  as  buildings, 
etc.,  where  it  may  be  used  with  a  very  happy  effect.  There 
is  also  no  evergreen  tree  indigenous  or  introduced,  which 
will  make  a  more  effectual,  close,  and  impervious  screen 
than  this  :  and  as  it  thrives  well  in  almost  every  soil,  moist, 
dry,  rich,  or  poor,  we  strongly  recommend  it  whenever 
such  thickets  are  desirable.  We  have  ourselves  tried  the 
experiment  with  a  hedge  of  it  about  200  feet  long,  which 
was  transplanted  about  five  or  six  feet  high  from  the  native 
habitats  of  the  young  trees,  and  which  fully  answers  our 
expectations  respecting  it,  forming  a  perfectly  thick  screen, 
and  an  excellent  shelter  on  the  north  of  a  range  of  buildings 
at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  growing  perfectly  thick  without 
trimming,  from  the  very  ground  upwards. 


EVERGREEN    ORNAMENTAL  TREE3. 


269 


The  only  fault  of  this  tree  as  an  evergreen,  is  the 
comparatively  dingy  green  hue  of  its  foliage  in  winter 
But  to  compensate  for  this,  it  is  remarkably  fresh  looking 
in  its  spring,  summer,  and  autumn  tints,  comparing  well  at 
those  seasons  even  with  the  bright  verdure  of  deciduous 
trees. 

The  Arbor  Vitse  is  very  abundant  in  New  Brunswick, 
Vermont,  and  Maine.  In  New  York,  the  shores  of  the 
Hudson,  at  Hampton  landing,  70  miles  above  the  city  of 
New  York,  are  lined  on  both  sides  with  beautiful  speci 
mens  of  this  tree,  many  of  them  being  perfect  cones  in 
outline  ;  and  it  is  here  much  more  symmetrical  and  perfect 
in  its  growth  than  we  have  seen  it.  Forty  feet  is  about 
the  maximum  altitude  of  the  Arbor  Vitas,  and  the  stem 
rarely  measures  more  than  ten  or  twelve  inches  in 
diameter. 

The  wood  is  very  light,  soft,  and  fine-grained,  but  is 
reputed  to  be  equally  durable  with  the  Red  Cedar.  It 
is  consequently  employed  for  various  purposes  in  build- 
ing and  fencing,  where,  in  the  northern  districts,  it 
grows  in  sufficient  abundance,  and  of  suitable  size. 

The  Chinese  Arbor  Vitas  (T.  orientalis)  is  a  tree  of 
much  smaller  and  more  feeble  growth.  It  cannot, 
therefore,  as  an  ornamental  tree,  be  put  in  competition 
with  our  native  species.  Bnt  it  is  a  beautiful  evergreen 
for  the  garden  and  shrubbery,  where  it  finds  a  more 
suitable  and  sheltered  site,  being  rather  tender  north  of 
New  York. 

The  White  Cedar  {Thuja  spheroida*),  which  belongs 
to  the  same  genus  as  the  Arbor  Vitas,  is  a  much  loftiei 

*  Cupressus  thuyoides  of  the  old  botanists. 


270 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


tree.,  often  growing  80  feet  high.  It  can  hardly  be 
considered  a  tree  capable  of  being  introduced  into 
cultivated  situations,  as  it  is  found  only  in  thick  swamps 
and  wet  grounds.  The  foliage  considerably  resembles 
that  of  the  common  Arbor.  Vitas,  though  rather  narrower 
and  more  delicate  in  texture.  The  cones  are  small  and 
rugged,  and  change  from  green  to  a  blue  or  brown  tint  in 
autumn.    In  the  south  it  is  often  called  the  Juniper. 

The  White  Cedar  furnishes  excellent  shingles,  much 
more  durable  than  those  made  of  either  Pine  or  Cypress  ; 
in  Philadelphia  the  wood  is  much  esteemed  and  greatly 
used  in  cooperage.  "  Charcoal,"  according  to  Michaux, 
"highly  esteemed  in  the  manufacture  of  gunpowder,  is 
made  of  young  stocks,  about  an  inch  and  a  half  in 
diameter,  deprived  of  their  bark ;  and  the  seasoned  wood 
affords  beautiful  lamp-black,  lighter  and  more  intensely 
colored  than  that  obtained  from  the  Pine." 


The  American  Holly  Tree.  Ilex. 
Nat.  Ord.    Aquifoliaceae.  Lin.  Syst.    DicDcia,  Tetrandria. 

The  European  Holly  is  certainly  one  of  the  evergreen 
glories  of  the  English  gardens.  There  its  deep  green, 
glossy  foliage,  and  bright  coral  berries,  which  hang  on  for 
a  long  time,  are  seen  enlivening  the  pleasure-grounds  and 
shrubberies  throughout  the  whole  of  that  leafless  and 
inactive  period  in  vegetation — winter.  It  is  also,  in  our 
mother  tongue,  inseparably  connected  with  the  delightful 
associations  of  merry  Christmas  gambols  and  feastings, 
when  both  the  churches  and  the  dwelling-houses  are 


EVERGREEN   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


271 


decorated  with  its  boughs.  We  have  much  to  regret, 
therefore,  in  the  severity  of  our  winters,  which  will  not 
permit  the  European  Holly  to  flourish  in  the  middle  or 
eastern  states,  as  a  hardy  tree.  South  of  Philadelphia,  it 
may  become  acclimated ;  but  it  appears  to  suffer  greatly 
further  north. 

A  beautiful  succedaneum,  however,  may,  we  believe,  be 
found  in  the  American  Holly  {Ilex  opaca),  which  indeed 
very  closely  resembles  the  foreign  species  in  almost  every 
particular.  The  leaves  are  waved  or  irregular  in  surface 
and  outline,  though  not  so  much  so  as  those  of  the  latter, 
and  their  color  is  a  much  lighter  shade  of  green.  Like 
those  of  the  foreign  plant,  they  are  armed  on  the  edges 
with  thorny  prickles,  and  the  surface  is  brilliant  and 
polished.  The  American  Holly  is  seen  in  the  greatest 
perfection  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Maryland  and  Virginia, 
and  the  lower  part  of  New  Jersey.  There  it  thrives 
best  upon  loose,  dry,  and  gravelly  soils.  Michaux  says 
it  is  also  common  through  all  the  extreme  southern  states, 
and  in  West  Tennessee,  in  which  latter  places  it  abounds 
on  the  margins  of  shady  swamps,  where  the  soil  is  cool 
and  fertile.  In  such  spots  it  often  reaches  forty  feet  in 
height,  and  twelve  or  fifteen  inches  in  diameter. 

Although  the  growth  of  the  Holly  is  slow,  yet  it  is 
always  beautiful ;  and  wt  regret  that  the  American  sort, 
which  may  be  easily  brought  into  cultivation,  is  so  very 
rarely  seen  in  our  gardens  or  grounds.  The  seeds  are 
easily  procured,  and  if  scalded  and  sowed  in  autumn, 
immediately  after  being  gathered,  they  vegetate  freely. 
For  hedges  the  Holly  is  altogether  unrivalled  ;  and  it  was 
also  one  of  the  favorite  plants  for  verdant  sculpture,  in  the 
ancient  style  of  gardening.    Evelyn,  in  the  edition  of  his 


272 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Sylva,  published  in  London  in  1664,  thus  bursts  out  in 
eloquent  praise  of  it :  "  Above  all  natural  greens  which 
enrich  our  home-born  store,  there  is  none  certainly  to  be 
compared  to  the  Holly  ;  insomuch  that  I  have  often 
wondered  at  our  curiosity  after  foreign  plants  and  expen 
sive  difficulties,  to  the  neglect  of  the  culture  of  this  vulgar 
but  incomparable  tree, — whether  we  will  propagate  it  for 
use  and  defence,  or  for  sight  and  ornament.  Is  there 
under  heaven  c\  more  glorious  and  refreshing  object  of  the 
kind,  than  an  impregnable  hedge  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty-five  feet  in  length,  seven  high,  and  five  in  diameter, 
which  I  can  show  in  my  poor  gardens,  at  any  time  of  the 
year,  glittering  with  its  armed  and  varnished  leaves  ?  The 
taller  standards  at  orderly  distances  blushing  with  their 
natural  coral.  It  mocks  the  rudest  assaults  of  the  weather, 
beasts,  or  hedge-breaker  : — 

'  Et  ilium  nemo  impune  lacessit.'  " 


The  Yew  Tree.  Taxus. 

Nat.  Ord.    Taxaceae.  -    Lin.  Syst.    Monoecia,  Monadelphia. 

The  European  Yew  is  a  slow-growing,  evergreen  tree, 
which  often,  when  full  grown,  measures  forty  feet  in  height, 
and  a  third  more  in  the  diameter  of  its  branches.  The 
foliage  is  flat,  linear,  and  is  placed  in  two  rows,  like  that  of 
the  Hemlock  tree,  though  much  darker  in  color.  The 
flowers  are  brown  or  greenish,  and  inconspicuous,  but  they 
are  succeeded  by  beautiful  scarlet  berries,  about  half  or 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  which  are  open  at 
the  end  where  a  small  nut  or  seed  is  deposited.  These 


EVERGREEN   ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


273 


oerries  have  an  exquisitely  delicate,  waxen  appearance, 
and  contribute  highly  to  the  beauty  of  the  tree. 

The  growth  of  this  tree,  even  in  its  native  soil,  is  by  no 
means  rapid.  In  twenty  years,  says  Loudon,  it  will  attain 
the  height  of  fifteen  or  eighteen  feet,  and  it  will  continue 
growing  for  one  hundred  years ;  after  which  it  becomes 
comparatively  stationary,  but  will  live  many  centuries. 

When  young,  the  Yew  is  rather  compact  and  bushy  in 
its  form  ;  but  as  it  grows  old,  the  foliage  spreads  out  in  fine 
horizontal  masses,  the  outline  of  the  tree  is  irregularly 
varied,  and  the  whole  ultimately  becomes  highly  venerable 
and  picturesque.  When  standing  alone,  it  generally  shoots 
out  into  branches  at  some  three  or  four  feet  above  the 
surface  of  the  ground,  and  is  ramified  into  a  great  number 
of  close  branches. 


[Fig.  39.    The  English  Yew. J 


In  England,  it  has  been  customary,  since  the  earliest 
settlement  of  that  island  by  the  Britons,  to  plant  the  Yew 
in  churchyards  ;  and  it  is  therefore  as  decidedly  conse- 
crated to  this  purpose  there,  as  the  Cypress  is  in  the  south 

18 


274 


LANDSCAPE   GARDENIA G. 


of  Europe.  For  the  decoration  of  places  of  burial  it  is 
well  adapted,  from  the  deep  and  perpetual  verdure  of  its 
foliage,  which,  conjointly  with  its  great  longevity,  may  be 
oonsidered  as  emblematical  of  immortality. 

The  Yew,  like  the  Holly,  makes  an  excellent  evergreen 
hedge — close,  dark  green,  and  beautiful  when  clad  in  the 
rich  scarlet  berries.  We  desire,  however,  rather  to  see 
this  tree  naturalized  in  our  gardens  and  lawns  as  an 
evergreen  tree  of  the  first  class,  than  in  any  other  form. 
Judging  from  specimens  which  we  have  growing  in  our 
own  grounds,  we  should  consider  it  quite  hardy  anywhere 
south  of  the  41°  of  latitude.  And  although  it  is  somewhat 
slow  in  its  growth,  yet,  like  many  other  evergreens,  it  is  as 
beautiful  when  a  small  bush  or  a  thrifty  young  tree,  as  it  is 
venerable  and  picturesque  when  ages  or  even  centuries 
have  witnessed  its  never  failing  verdure.  It  appears  to 
grow  most  vigorously  and  thrive  best  on  a  rich  and  heavy 
soil,  and  in  situations  rather  shaded  than  exposed  to  a 
burning  sun. 

There  are  several  beautiful  varieties  of  the  Yew  (Taxus 
haccata)  cultivated  in  the  nurseries;  the  Irish  Yew  (T.  b. 
fastigiata),  remarkable  for  its  dark  green  foliage,  and  very 
handsome,  upright  growth,  and  the  Yellow  berried  Yew 
(T.  b.  fructo-Jlava),  are  the  most  ornamental. 

The  North  American  Yew  (T.  canadensis)  is  a  low 
trailing  shrub,  scarcely  rising  above  the  height  of  four  ov 
six  feet,  though  the  branches  extend  to  a  considerable 
distance.  In  foliage,  berries,  etc.,  it  so  strongly  resembles 
the  European  plant,  that  many  botanists  consider  it  only  a 
dwarf  variety.  The  leaves  are  nevertheless  shorter  and 
narrower,  and  the  male  flowers  always  solitary  It  is 
found  in  shady,  rocky  places,  in  the  Highlands,  and  various 
other  localities  from  Canada  to  Virginia 


VINES   AND   CLIMBING  PLANTS. 


275 


SECTION  VI. 

VINES   AND   CLIMBING  PLANTS. 

Value  of  this  kind  of  Vegetation.  Fine  natural  effects.  The  European  Ivy.  Th" 
Virginia  Creeper.  The  Wild  Grape  Vine.  The  Bittersweet.  The  Trumpet  Creeper. 
The  Pipe  Vine,  and  the  Clematis.  The  Wistarias.  The  Honeysuckles  and  Wood- 
bines. The  Jasmine  and  the  Periploca.  Remarks  on  the  proper  mode  of  introducing 
vines.   Beautiful  effects  of  climbing  plants  in  connexion  with  buildings. 

Quite  over-canopied  with  lush  woodbine, 
With  sweet  musk  roses,  and  with  eglantine. 

Shakspeare. 

I  N  E  S  and  climbing  plants  are 
objects  full  of  interest  for  the  Land- 
scape Gardener,  for  they  seem 
endowed  with  the  characteristics 
of  the  graceful,  the  beautiful,  and 
the  picturesque,  in  their  luxuriant 
and  ever-varying  forms.  When  judiciously  introduced, 
therefore,  nothing  can  so  easily  give  a  spirited  or  graceful 
air  to  a  fine  or  even  an  ordinary  scene,  as  the  various 
plants  which  compose  this  group  of  the  vegetable  kingdom. 
We  refer  particularly  now  to  those  which  have  woody 
and  perennial  stems,  as  all  annual  or  herbaceous  stemmed 
plants  are  too  short-lived  to  afford  any  lasting  or 
permanent  addition  to  the  beauty  of  the  lawn  or  plea- 
sure-ground. 


276 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Climbing  plants  may  be  classed  among  the  adventitious 
beauties  of  trees.  Who  has  not  often  witnessed  with 
delight  in  our  native  forests,  the  striking  beauty  of  a  noble 
tree,  the  old  trunk  and  fantastic  branches  of  which  were 
enwreathed  with  the  luxuriant  and  pliant  shoots  and  rich 
foliage  of  some  beautiful  vine,  clothing  even  its  decayed 
limbs  with  verdure,  and  hanging  down  in  gay  festoons  or 
loose  negligent  masses,  waving  to  and  fro  in  the  air.  The 
European  Ivy  (Hedera  Helix)  is  certainly  one  of  the 
finest,  if  not  the  very  finest  climbing  plant  (or  more 
properly,  creeping  vine,  for  by  means  of  its  little  fibres  or 
rootlets  on  the  stems,  it  will  attach  itself  to  trees,  walks, 
or  any  other  substance),  with  which  we  are  acquainted. 
It  possesses  not  only  very  fine  dark  green  palmated  foliage 
in  great  abundance,  but  the  foliage  has  that  agreeable 
property  of  being  evergreen, — which,  while  it  enhances 
its  value  tenfold,  is  at  the  same  time  so  rare  among  vines. 
The  yellow  flowers  of  the  Ivy  are  great  favorites  with 
bees,  from  their  honied  sweetness ;  they  open  in  autumn, 
and  the  berries  ripen  in  the  spring.  When  planted  at  the 
root  of  a  tree,  it  will  often,  if  the  head  is  not  too  thickly 
clad  with  branches,  ascend  to  the  very  topmost  limbs  ; 
and  its  dark  green  foliage,  wreathing  itself  about  the  old 
and  furrowed  trunk,  and  hanging  in  careless  drapery  from 
the  lower  branches,  adds  greatly  to  the  elegance  of  even 
the  most  admirable  tree.  Spenser  describes  the  appear- 
ance  of  the  Ivy  growing  to  the  tops  of  the  trees, 

"  Emongst  the  rest,  the  clamb'ring  Ivie  grew, 
Knitting  his  wanton  arms  with  grasping  hold, 
Lest  that  the  poplar  happely  should  renew 
Her  brother's  strokes,  whose  boughs  she  doth  enfold 
With  her  lythe  twigs,  till  they  the  top  survew, 
And  paint  with  pallid  green  her  buds  of  gold." 


VINES   AND   CLIMBING  PLANTS. 


277 


The  fine  contrasts  between  the  dark  coloring  ot  the 
leaves  of  the  Ivy,  and  the  vernal  and  autumnal  tints  of 
the  foliage  of  deciduous  trees,  are  also  highly  pleasing. 
Indeed  this  fine  climbing  plant  may  be  turned  to  advantage 
in  another  way  ;  in  reclothing  dead  trees  with  verdure. 
Sir  T.  D.  Lauder  says,  that  "  trees  often  die  from  causes 
which  we  cannot  divine,  and  there  is  no  one  who  is 
master  of  extensive  woods,  who  does  not  meet  with  many 
such  instances  of  unexpected  and  unaccountable  mortality. 
Of  such  dead  individuals  we  have  often  availed  ourselves, 
and  by  planting  Ivy  at  their  roots,  we  have  converted 
them  into  more  beautiful  objects  than  they  were  when 
arrayed  in  their  own  natural  foliage." 

The  Ivy  is  not  only  ornamental  upon  trees,  but  it  is 
also  remarkably  well  adapted  to  ornament  cottages,  and 
even  large  mansions,  when  allowed  to  grow  upon  the 
walls,  to  which  it  will  attach  itself  so  firmly  by  the  little 
rootlets  sent  out  from  the  branches,  that  it  is  almost 
impossible  to  tear  it  off'.  On  wooden  buildings,  it  may 
perhaps  be  injurious,  by  causing  them  to  decay ;  but  on 
stone  buildings,  it  fastens  itself  firmly,  and  holds  both 
stone  and  mortar  together  like  a  coat  of  cement.  The 
thick  garniture  of  foliage  with  which  it  covers  the  surface, 
excludes  stormy  weather,  and  has,  therefore,  a  tendency 
to  preserve  the  walls,  rather  than  accelerate  their  decay. 
This  vine  is  the  inseparable  accompaniment  of  the  old 

The  Ivy  is  not  a  native  of  America ;  nor  is  it  by  any 
means  a  very  common  plant  in  our  gardens,  though  we 
know  of  no  apology  for  the  apparent  neglect  of  so  beautiful 
a  climber.  It  is  hardy  south  of  the  latitude  of  42°,  and  we 
have  seen  it  thriving  in  great  luxuriance  as  far  north  as 
Hyde  Park,  on  the  Hudson,  eighty  miles  above  New  York. 
One  of  the  most  beautiful  growths  of  this  plant,  which  has 


278 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


ever  met  our  eyes,  is  that  upon  the  old  mansion  in  the 
Botanic  Garden  at  Philadelphia,  built  by  the  elder  Bartram. 
That  picturesque  and  quaint  stone  building  is  beautifully 
overrun  by  the  most  superb  mantle  of  Ivy,  that  no  one  who 
has  once  seen  can  fail  to  remember  with  admiration.  The 
dark  grey  of  the  stone- work  is  finely  opposed  by  the  rich 
verdure  of  the  plant,  which  falls  away  in  openings  here  and 
there,  around  the  windows,  and  elsewhere.  It  never  thrives 
well  if  suffered  to  ramble  along  the  ground,  but  needs  the 
support  of  a  tree,  a  frame,  or  a  wall,  to  which  it  attaches 
itself  firmly,  and  grows  with  vigorous  shoots.  Bare  walls 
or  fences  may  thus  be  clothed  with  verdure  and  beauty 
equal  to  the  living  hedge,  in  a  very  short  period  of  time,  by 
planting  young  Ivy  roots  at  the  base. 

The  most  desirable  varieties  of  the  common  Ivy  are  :  the 
Irish  Ivy,  with  much  larger  foliage  than  the  common  sort, 
and  more  rapid  in  its  growth  ;  the  Silver-striped  and  the 
Gold-striped  leaved  Ivy,  both  of  which,  though  less  vigorous, 
are  much  admired  for  the  singular  color  of  their  leaves. 
The  common  English  Ivy  is  more  hardy  than  the  others 
in  our  climate. 

Although,  as  we  have  said,  the  Ivy  is  not  a  native  of  this 
country,  yet  we  have  an  indigenous  vine,  which,  at  least 
in  summer,  is  not  inferior  to  it.  We  refer  to  the  Virginia 
Creeper  (Ampelopsis  hederacea),  which  is  often  called  the 
American  Ivy.  The  leaves  are  as  large  as  the  hand, 
deeply  divided  into  five  lobes,  and  the  blossoms  are  suc- 
ceeded by  handsome,  dark  blue  berries.  The  Virginia 
Creeper  is  a  most  luxuriant  grower,  and  we  have  seen  it 
climbing  to  the  extremities  of  trees  70  or  80  feet  in  height. 
Like  the  Ivy  it  attaches  itself  to  whatever  it  can  lay  hold 
of,  'oy  the  little  rootlets  which  spring  out  of  the  branches  • 


VINES   AND  CLIMBING  PLANTS. 


279 


and  its  foliage,  when  it  clothes  thickly  a  high  wall,  or  folds 
itself  in  clustering  wreaths  around  the  trunk  and  branches 
of  an  open  tree,  is  extremely  handsome  and  showy.  Al- 
though the  leaves  are  not  evergreen,  like  those  of  the  Ivy, 
yet  in  autumn  they  far  surpass  those  of  that  plant  in  the 
rich  and  gorgeous  coloring  which  they  then  assume. 
Numberless  trees  may  be  seen  in  the  countiw  b}^  the  road 
side,  and  in  the  woods,  thus  decked  in  autumn  in  the 
borrowed  glories  of  the  Virginia  Creeper ;  but  we  particu- 
larly remember  two  as  being  remarkably  striking  objects ; 
one,  a  wide-spread  elm — the  trunk  and  graceful  diverging 
branches  completely  clad  in  scarlet  by  this  beautiful  vine, 
with  wiiich  its  own  leaves  harmonized  well  in  their  fine 
deep  yellow  dress ;  the  other,  a  tall  and  dense  Cedar,  through 
whose  dark  green  boughs  gleamed  the  rich  coloring  of  the 
Virginia  Creeper,  like  a  half-concealed,  though  glowing 
fire. 

In  the  American  forests  nothing  adds  more  to  the  beauty 
of  an  occasional  tree,  than  the  tall  canopy  of  verdure  with 
which  it  is  often  crowned  by  the  wild  Grape  vine.  There 
its  tall  stems  wind  themselves  about  until  they  reach  the 
very  summit  of  the  tree,  where  they  cluster  it  over,  and 
bask  their  broad  bright  green  foliage  in  the  sunbeams.  As 
if  not  content  with  this,  they  often  completely  overhang  the 
head  of  the  tree,  falling  like  ample  drapery  around  on  every 
side,  until  they  sweep  the  ground.  We  have  seen  very 
beautiful  effects  produced  in  this  way  by  the  grape  in  its 
wild  state,  and  it  may  easily  be  imitated.  The  delicious 
fragrance  of  these  wild  grape  vines  when  in  blossom,  is 
unsurpassed  in  delicacy  ;  and  we  can  compare  it  to  nothing 
but  the  delightful  perfume  which  exhales  from  a  huge  bed 
of  Mignonette  in  full  bloom.    The  Bittersweet  (Celastrus 


280 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


scandens)  is  another  well  known  climber,  which  ornaments 
our  wild  trees.  Its  foliage  is  very  bright  and  shining,  and 
the  orange-colored  seed-vessels  which  burst  open,  and  dis- 
play the  crimson  seeds  in  winter,  are  quite  ornamental.  It 
winds  itself  very  closely  around  the  stem,  however,  and  we 
have  known  it  to  strangle  or  compress  the  bodies  of  young 
trees  so  tightly  as  to  put  an  end  to  their  growth. 

The  Trumpet  Creeper  {Bignonia  radicans)  is  a  very 
picturesque  climbing  plant.  The  stem  is  quite  woody,  and 
often  attains  considerable  size  ;  the  branches,  like  those  of 
the  Ivy  and  Virginia  Creeper,  fasten  themselves  by  the 
roots  thrown  out.  The  leaves  are  pinnated,  and  the 
flowers,  which  are  borne  in  terminal  clusters  on  the  ends 
of  the  young  shoots  about  midsummer,  are  exceedingly 
showy.  They  are  tubes  five  or  six  inches  long,  shaped  like 
a  trumpet,  opening  at  the  extremity,  of  a  fine  scarlet  color 
on  the  outside,  and  orange  within.  The  Trumpet  Creeper 
is  a  native  of  Virginia,  Carolina,  and  the  states  further 
south,  where  it  climbs  up  the  loftiest  trees.  It  is  a  great 
favorite  in  the  northern  states  as  a  climbing  plant,  and  very 
beautiful  effects  are  sometimes  produced  by  planting  it  at 
the  foot  of  a  tall-stemmed  tree,  which  it  will  completely 
surround  with  a  pillar  of  verdure,  and  render  very  orna- 
mental by  its  little  shoots,  studded  with  noble  blossoms. 

One  of  the  most  singular  and  picturesque  climbing  shrubs 
or  plants  which  we  cultivate,  is  the  Pipe-vine,  or  Birthwort 
(Aristolochia  sipho).  It  is  a  native  of  the  Alleghany  moun 
tains,  and  is  one  of  the  tallest  of  twining  plants,  growing 
on  the  trees  there  to  the  height  of  90  or  100  feet,  though 
in  gardens  it  is  often  kept  down  to  a  frame  of  four  or  five 
feet  high.  The  leaves  are  of  a  noble  size,  being  eight  or 
nine  inches  broad,  and  heart-shaped  in  outline.  The 


VINES   AND   CLIMBING  PLANTS. 


281 


flowers,  about  an  inch  or  a  little  more  in  length,  are  very 
singular.  They  are  dark  yellow,  spotted  with  brown,  in 
shape  like  a  bent  siphon-like  tube,  which  opens  at  the  ex- 
tremity, the  whole  flower  resembling,  as  close  as  possible, 
a  very  small  Dutchman  s pipe,  whence  the  vine  is  frequently 
so  called  by  the  country  people.  It  flowers  in  the  begin- 
ning of  summer,  and  the  foliage,  during  the  whole  growing 
season,  has  a  very  rich  and  luxuriant  appearance.  Ansto- 
lochia  tomentosa  is  a  smaller  species,  with  leaves  and 
flowers  of  less  size,  the  former  downy  or  hairy  on  the  under 
surface. 

The  various  kinds  of  Clematis,  though  generally  kept 
within  the  precincts  of  the  garden,  are  capable  of  adding 
to  the  interest  of  the  pleasure  ground,  when  they  are 
planted  so  as  to  support  themselves  on  the  branches  of 
trees.  The  common  White  Clematis  or  Virgin's  Bower 
(C.  virginicd)  is  one  of  the  strongest  growing  kinds,  often 
embellishing  with  its  pale  white  blossoms,  the  whole 
interior  and  even  the  very  tops  of  our  forest  trees  in 
the  middle  states.  After  these  have  fallen,  they  are 
succeeded  by  large  tufts  of  brown,  hairy-like  plumes, 
appendages  to  the  clusters  of  seeds,  which  give  the  whole 
a  very  unique  and  interesting  look.  The  Wild  Atragene, 
with  large  purple  flowers,  which  blossom  early,  has  much 
the  same  habit  as  the  Clematis,  to  which,  indeed,  it  is  nearly 
related.  Among  the  finest  foreign  species  of  this  genus 
are,  the  Single  and  Double-flowered  purple  Clematis 
(C.  viticella  and  its  varieties),  which,  though  slender  in  their 
stems,  run  to  considerable  height,  are  very  pretty,  and 
blossom  profusely.  The  sweet  scented  and  the  Japan 
Clematis  (C  jlammula  and  C.  jlorida),  the  former 
very  fragrant,  and  the  latter  beautiful,  are  perhaps  too 


262 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


tender,  except  for  the  garden,  where  they  are  highly 
prized. 

The  Glycine  or  Wistaria  (Wistaria  pubescens)  is  a 
very  beautiful  climbing  plant,  and  adds  much  to  the 
gracefulness  of  trees,  when  trained  so  as  to  hang  from 
.heir  lower  branches.  The  leaves  are  pinnate,  and  the 
light  purple  flowers,  which  bloom  in  loose  clusters  like 
those  of  the  Locust,  are  universally  admired.  The 
Chinese  Wistaria  (TV.  sinensis)  is  a  very  elegant  species 
of  this  plant,  which  appears  to  be  quite  hardy  here ;  and 
when  loaded  with  its  numerous  large  clusters  of  pendent 
blossoms,  is  highly  ornamental.  It  grows  rapidly,  and, 
with  but  little  care,  will  mount  to  a  great  height.  These 
vines  with  pinnated  foliage,  would  be  remarkably 
appropriate  when  climbing  up,  and  hanging  from  the 
branches  of  such  light  airy  trees  as  the  Three-thorned 
Acacia,  the  Locust,  etc. 

We  must  not  forget  to  enumerate  here  the  charming 
family  of  the  Honeysuckles  ;  some  of  them  are  natives  of 
the  old  world,  some  of  our  own  continent ;  and  all  of  them 
are  common  in  our  gardens,  where  they  are  universally 
prized  for  their  beauty  and  fragrance.  In  their  native 
localities  they  grow  upon  trees,  and  trail  along  the  rocks. 
The  species  which  ascends  to  the  greatest  height,  is  the 
common  European  Woodbine,*  which  twines  around  the 
stems,  and  hangs  from  the  ends  of  the  longest  branches  of 
trees : 

"  As  Woodbine  weds  the  plant  within  her  reach, 
Rough  Elm,  or  smooth-grained  Ash,  or  glossy  Beech, 
In  spiral  rings  ascends  the  trunk,  and  lays 
Her  golden  tassels  on  the  leafy  sprays." 

COWPEIU 

*  Woodbind  is  the  original  name,  derived  from  the  habit  of  the  plant  oi 
winding  itself  around  trees,  and  binding  the  branches  together. 


VINES   AND  CLIMBING  PLANTS. 


283 


The  Woodbine  (Lonicera  periclymenum)  has  separate, 
opposite  leaves,  and  buff-colored  or  paler  yellow  and  red 
blossoms.  There  is  a  variety,  the  common  monthly 
Woodbine,  which  produces  its  flowers  all  summer,  and  is 
much  the  most  valuable  plant.  Another  (L.  p.  belgicum), 
the  Dutch  Honeysuckle,  blossoms  quite  early  in  spring; 
and  a  third  (L.  p.  quercifolium)  has  leaves  shaped  like 
those  of  the  oak  tree. 

The  finest  of  our  native  sorts  are  the  Red  and  Yellow 
trumpet  Honeysuckle  (L.  sempervirens  and  L.  Jlava), 
which  have  the  terminal  leaves  on  each  branch  joined 
together  at  the  base,  or  perfoliate,  making  a  single  leaf. 
They  blossom  in  the  greatest  profusion  during  the  whole 
summer  and  autumn,  and  their  rich  blossom  tubes,  sprinkled 
in  numerous  clusters  over  the  exterior  of  the  foliage,  as 
well  as  an  abundance  of  scarlet  berries  in  autumn,  entitle 
them  to  high  regard.  There  is  also  a  very  strong  and 
vigorous  species,  called  the  Orange  pubescent  Honeysuckle 
(L.  pubescens),  with  large,  hairy,  ciliate  leaves,  and  fine 
large  tawny  or  orange-colored  flowers.  It  is  a  very 
luxuriant  plant  in  its  habit,  and  a  very  distinct  species  to 
the  eye.  All  these  native  sorts  have  but  very  slight 
fragrance. 

The  Chinese  twining  Honeysuckle  (L.  jlexuosa)  is 
certainly  one  of  the  finest  of  the  genus.  In  the  form  of 
the  leaf  it  much  resembles  the  common  Woodbine  ;  but 
the  foliage  is  much  darker  colored,  and  is  also  sub-ever- 
green, hanging  on  half  the  winter,  and  in  sheltered  spots, 
even  till  spring.  It  blossoms  when  the  plant  is  old,  several 
times  during  the  summer,  bearing  an  abundance  of 
beautiful  flowers,  open  at  the  mouth,  red  outside,  and 
striped  with  red,  white,  or  yellow  within.      It  grows 


284 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


remarkably  fast,  climbing  to  the  very  summit  of  trees  in  a 
short  time  ;  and  the  flowers,  which  first  appear  in  June 
are  deliciously  fragrant.  In  all  its  varieties  the  Honey- 
suckle is  a  charming  plant,  either  to  adorn  the  porch  of  the 
cottage,  the  latticed  bower  of  the  garden — to  both  of  which 
spots  they  are  especially  dedicated — or  to  climb  the  sterr. 
of  the  old  forest  tree,  where — 

"  With  clasping  tendrils  it  invests  the  branch, 
Else  unadorn'd,  with  many  agay  festoon, 
And  fragrant  chaplet ;  recompensing  well 
The  strength  it  borrows  with  the  grace  it  lends." 

There  it  diffuses  through  the  air  a  delicious  breath,  that 
renders  a  walk  beneath  the  shade  of  the  tall  trees  doubly 
delightful,  while  its  flowers  give  a  gaiety  and  brightness 
to  the  park,  which  forest  trees,  producing  usually  but 
inconspicuous  blossoms,  could  not  alone  impart. 

Some  of  the  climbing  Roses  are  very  lovely  objects  in 
the  pleasure-grounds.  Many  of  them,  at  the  north,  as  the 
Multifloras,  Noisettes,  etc.,  require  some  covering  in  the 
winter,  and  are  therefore  better  fitted  for  the  garden.  At 
the  south,  where  they  are  quite  hardy,  they  are,  however, 
most  luxuriant  and  splendid  objects.  But  there  are  two 
classes  of  Roses  that  are  perfectly  hardy  climbers,  and 
may  therefore  be  employed  with  great  advantage  by  the 
Landscape  Gardener — the  Michigan  and  the  Boursalt  trees. 
The  single  Michigan  is  a  most  compact  and  vigorous 
grower,  and  often,  in  its  wild  haunts  in  the  west,  clambers 
over  the  tops  of  tall  forest  trees,  and  decks  them  with  its 
abundant  clusters  of  pale  purple  flowers.  There  are  now 
in  our  gardens  several  beautiful  double  varieties  of  this, 
and  among  them,  one,  called  Beauty  of  the  Prairies,  is 


VINES   AND   CLIMBING  PLANTS. 


285 


most  admired  for  its  large  rich  buds  and  blossoms  of  a  deep 
rose  color. 

The  Boursalt  roses  are  remarkable  for  their  profusion  of 
flowers,  and  for  their  shining,  reddish  stems,  with  few 
thorns.  The  common  Purple  or  Crimson  Boursalt  is  quite 
a  wonder  of  beauty  in  the  latter  part  of  May,  when  trained 
on  the  wall  of  a  cottage,  being  then  literally  covered  with 
blossoms ;  and  it  is  so  hardy  that  scarcely  a  branch  is  ever 
injured  by  the  cold  of  winter.  The  Blush  and  the  Elegans 
are  still  richer  and  finer  varieties  of  this  class  of  roses,  all 
of  which  are  well  worthy  of  attention. 

We  have  to  regret  that  the  inclemency  of  our  winters 
will  not  permit  us  to  cultivate  the  White  European 
Jasmine  (Jasminum  officinale)  out  of  the  garden,  as  even 
there  it  requires  a  slight  protection  in  winter.  Below  the 
latitude  of  Philadelphia,  however,  it  will  probably  succeed 
well.  In  the  southern  states  they  have  a  most  lovely  plant, 
the  Carolina  Jasmine  (Gelseminum),  which  hangs  its 
beautiful  yellow  flowers  on  the  very  tree  tops,  and  the 
woods  there  in  spring  are  redolent  with  their  perfume. 

The  connoisseur  in  vines  will  not  forget  the  curious 
Periploca,  which  grows  very  rapidly  to  the  height  of  40 
or  50  feet,  and  bears  numerous  branches  of  very  curious 
brown  or  purple  flowers  in  summer;  or  the  Double- 
blossoming  Brambles,  both  pink  and  white,  which  often 
make  shoots  of  20  or  30  feet  long  in  a  season,  and  bear 
pretty  clusters  of  double  flowers  in  June.  All  these  fine 
climbers,  and  several  others  to  be  found  in  the  catalogues, 
may,  in  the  hands  of  a  person  of  taste,  be  made  to 
contribute  in  a  wonderful  degree  to  the  variety,  elegance, 
and  beauty  of  a  country  residence  ;  and  to  neglect  to 
introduce  them  would  be  to  refuse  the  aid  of  some  of  the 


280 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


most  beautiful  accessories  that  are  capable  of  bein^  com 
bined  with  trees,  as  well  as  with  buildings,  gardens,  and 
fences. 

The  reader  must  not  imagine,  from  the  remarks  which 
we  have  here  made  on  the  beauty  and  charms  of  climbing 
plants,  that  we  would  desire  to  see  every  tree  in  an 
extensive  park  wreathed  about,  and  overhung  with  fantastic 
vines  and  creepers.  Such  is  by  no  means  our  intention. 
We  should  consider  such  a  proceeding  something  in  the 
worst  possible  taste.  There  are  some  trees  whose  rugged 
and  ungraceful  forms  would  refuse  all  such  accompani- 
ment ;  and  others  from  whose  dignity  and  majesty  it  would 
be  improper  to  detract  even  by  adding  the  gracefulness  of  the 
loveliest  vine. 

Although  we  are  not  now  writing  of  buildings,  it  is  not 
inappropriate  here  to  remark  how  much  may  be  done  in 
the  country,  and  indeed  even  in  town,  by  using  vines  and 
creepers  to  decorate  buildings.  The  cottage  in  this  country 
too  rarely  conveys  the  idea  of  comfort  and  happiness  which 
we  wish  to  attach  to  such  a  habitation,  and  chiefly  because 
so  often  it  stands  bleak,  solitary,  and  exposed  to  every  ray 
of  our  summer  sun,  with  a  scanty  robe  of  foliage  to  shelter 
it.  How  different  such  edifices,  however  humble,  become 
when  the  porch  is  overhung  with  climbing  plants. 

Almost  every  man  feels  prouder  of  his  home  when  it  is 
a  pleasant  spot  for  the  eye  to  rest  upon,  than  when  it  is 
situated  in  a  desert,  or  overgrown  with  weeds.  Besides 
this,  tasteful  embellishment  has  a  tendency  to  refine  the 
feelings  of  every  member  of  the  family  ;  and  every  leisure 
hour  spent  in  rendering  more  lovely  and  agreeable  even 
the  humblest  cottage,  is  infinitely  better  employed  than  in 
ounging  about  in  idle  and  useless  dissipation. 


TREATMENT    OF   GROUND.  FORMATION   OF   WALKS.  287 


SECTION  VII. 

TREATMENT   OF   GROUND.  FORMATION    OF  WALKS. 

Nature  of  operations  on  Ground.  Treatment  of  flowing  and  irregular  surfaces  tc 
heighten  their  expression  ;  flats,  or  level  surfaces.  Rocks,  as  materials  in  Landscape. 
Laying  out  Roads  and  Walks :  Directions  for  the  Approach :  Rules  by  Repton.  The 
Drive,  and  minor  walks.    The  introduction  of  fences  and  verdant  hedges 

 "  Strength  may  wield  the  ponderous  spade, 

May  turn  the  clod  and  wheel  the  compost  home ; 
But  elegance,  chief  grace  the  garden  shows, 
And  most  attractive,  is  the  fair  result 
Of  thought,  the  creature  of  a  polished  mind." 

Cowpek. 

ROUND  is  undoubtedly  the  most  un- 
wieldy and  ponderous  material  that  comes 
under  the  care  of  the  Landscape  Gardener. 
It  is  not  only  difficult  to  remove,  the 
operations  of  the  leveller  rarely  extending  below  two  or 
three  feet  of~-the  surface  ;  but  the  effect  produced  by  a 
given  quantity  of  labor  expended  upon  it,  is  generally 
much  less  than  when  the  same  has  been  bestowed  in 
the  formation  of  plantations,  or  the  erection  of  buildings. 
The  achievements  of  ar  upon  ground  appear  so  trifling, 
too,  when  we  behold  the  apparent  facility  with  which 
nature  has  arranged  it  in  such  a  variety  of  forms,  that 
the  former  sink  into  insignificance  when  compared  with 
the  latter. 

For  these  reasons,  the   operations  to   be  performed 


288 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


upon  ground  in  this  country,  will  generally  be  limited 
to  the  neighborhood  of  the  house,  or  the  scenery  directly 
under  the  eye.  Here,  by  judicious  levelling  and  smooth- 
ing in  some  cases,  or  by  raising  gentle  eminences  with 
interposing  hollows  in  others,  much  may  be  done  at  a 
moderate  expense,  to  improve  the  beauty  of  the  surround- 
ing landscape. 

Roads  and  walks  are  so  directly  connected  with  opera- 
tions on  the  surface  of  the  ground,  and  with  the  disposition 
of  plantations,  which  we  have  already  made  familiar  to  the 
reader,  that  we  shall  introduce  in  this  place  a  few  remarks 
relative  to  their  direction  and  formation. 

The  Approach  is  by  far  the  most  important  of  these 
routes.  It  is  the  private  road,  leading  from  the  public 
highway,  directly  to  the  house  itself.  It  should  therefore 
bear  a  proportionate  breadth  and  size,  and  exhibit  marks 
of  good  keeping,  in  accordance  with  the  dignity  of  the 
mansion. 

In  the  ancient  style  of  gardening,  the  Approach  was  so 
formed  as  to  enter  directly  in  front  of  the  house,  affording 
a  full  view  of  that  portion  of  the  edifice,  and  no  other.  A 
line  drawn  as  directly  as  possible,  and  evenly  bordered  on 
each  side  with  a  tall  avenue  of  trees,  was  the  whole 
expenditure  of  art  necessary  in  its  formation.  It  is  true, 
the  simplicity  of  design  was  often  more  than  counter- 
balanced by  the  difficulty  of  levelling,  grading,  and  altering 
the  surface,  necessary  to  please  the  geometric  eye  ;  but  the 
rules  were  as  plain  and  unchangeable,  as  the  lines  were 
parallel  and  undeviating. 

In  the  present  more  advanced  state  of  Landscape 
Gardening,  the  formation  of  the  Approach  has  become 
equally  a  matter  of  artistical  skill  with  other  details  of  the 
art.  The  house  is  generally  so  approached,  that  the  eye 
shall  first  meet  it  in  an  angular  direction,  displaying  not 


TA  EATMENT   OF  GROUND.  FORMATION   OF   WALKS.  289 

only  the  beauty  of  the  architectural  facade  but  also  one 
of  the  end  elevations,  thus  giving  a  more  complete  idea  of 
the  size,  character,  or  elegance  of  the  building :  and 
instead  of  leading  in  a  direct  line  from  the  gate  to  the 
house,  it  curves  in  easy  lines  through  certain  portions  of 
the  park  or  lawn,  until  it  reaches  that  object. 

If  the  point  where  the  Approach  is  to  start  from  the 
highway  be  not  already  determined  past  alteration,  it 
should  be  so  chosen  as  to  afford  a  sufficient  drive  through 
the  grounds  before  arriving  at  the  house,  to  give  the 
stranger  some  idea  of  the  extent  of  the  whole  property :  to 
allow  an  agreeable  diversity  of  surface  over  which  to  lead 
it:  and  lastly  in  such  a  manner  as  not  to  interfere  with  the 
convenience  of  ready  access  to  and  from  the  mansion. 

This  point  being  decided,  and  the  other  being  the  man- 
sion and  adjacent  buildings,  it  remains  to  lay  out  the  road 
in  such  gradual  curves  as  will  appear  easy  and  graceful, 
without  verging  into  rapid  turns  or  formal  stiffness.  Since 
the  modern  style  has  become  partially  known  and  adopted 
here,  some  persons  appear  to  have  supposed  that  nature 
"  has  a  horror  of  straight  lines,"  and  consequently, 
believing  that  they  could  not  possibly  err,  they  immediately 
ran  into  the  other  extreme,  filling  their  grounds  with  zig- 
zag and  regularly  serpentine  roads,  still  more  horrible  : 
which  can  only  be  compared  to  the  contortions  of  a 
wounded  snake  dragging  its  way  slowly  over  the  earth. 

There  are  two  guiding  principles  wThich  have  been  laid 

down  for  the  formation  of  Approach  roads.    The  first,  that 

the  curves  should  never  be  so  great,  or  lead  over  surfaces 

so  uneoAual,  as  to  make  it  disagreeable  to  drive  upon  them  ; 

and  the  second,  that  the  road  should  never  curve  without 

some  reason,  either  real  or  apparent. 

19 


290 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


The  most  natural  method  of  forming  a  winding  Approach 
where  the  ground  is  gently  undulating,  is  to  follow,  in  some 
degree,  the  depressions  of  surface,  and  to  curve  round  the 
eminences.  This  is  an  excellent  method,  so  long  as  it  does 
not  lead  us  in  too  circuitous  a  direction,  nor,  as  we  befoiv 
hinted,  make  the  road  itself  too  uneven.  When  either  of 
these  happens,  the  easy,  gradual  flow  of  the  curve  in  the 
proper  direction,  must  be  maintained  by  levelling  or 
grading,  to  produce  the  proper  surface. 

Nothing  can  be  more  unmeaning  than  to  see  an  Ap- 
proach, or  any  description  of  road,  winding  hither  and 
thither,  through  an  extensive  level  lawn,  towards  the 
house,  without  the  least  apparent  reason  for  the  curves. 
Happily,  we  are  not,  therefore,  obliged  to  return  to  the 
straight  line ;  but  gradual  curves  may  always  be  so  ar- 
ranged as  to  appear  necessarily  to  wind  round  the  groups  of 
trees,  which  otherwise  would  stand  in  the  way.  Wherevei 
a  bend  in  the  road  is  intended,  a  cluster  or  group  of 
greater  or  less  size  and  breadth,  proportionate  to  the 
curve,  should  be  placed  in  the  projection  formed.  These 
trees,  as  soon  as  they  attain  some  size,  if  they  are  properly 
arranged,  we  may  suppose  to  have  originally  stood  there, 
and  the  road  naturally  to  have  curved,  to  avoid  destroying 
them. 

This  arrangement  of  trees  bordering  an  extended 
Approach  road,  in  connexion  with  the  various  other 
groups,  masses,  and  single  trees,  in  the  adjacent  lawn,  will 
in  most  cases  have  the  effect  of  concealing  the  house  from 
the  spectator  approaching  it,  except,  perhaps,  from  one  or 
two  points.  It  has,  therefore,  been  considered  a  matter 
worthy  of  consideration,  at  what  point  or  points  the  first 


TREATMENT   OF   GROUND.  FORMATION   OF   WALKS.  291 

view  of  the  house  shall  be  obtained.  If  seen  at  too  greal 
a  distance,  as  in  the  case  of  a  large  estate,  it  may  appeal 
more  diminutive  and  of  less  magnitude  than  it  should  ;  or. 
if  first  viewed  at  some  other  position,  it  may  strike  the 
eye  of  a  stranger,  at  that  point,  unfavorably.  The  best, 
and  indeed  the  only  way  to  decide  the  matter,  is  to  go 
over  the  whole  ground  covered  by  the  Approach  route 
carefully,  and  select  a  spot  or  spots  sufficiently  near  tc 
give  the  most  favorable  and  striking  view  of  the  house 
itself.  This,  if  openings  are  to  be  made,  can  only  be  done 
in  winter ;  but  when  the  ground  is  to  be  newly  planted,  it 
may  be  prosecuted  at  any  season. 

The  late  Mr.  Repton,  who  was  one  of  the  most  cele- 
brated English  practical  landscape  gardeners,  has  laid 
down  in  one  of  his  works,  the  following  rules  on  the 
subject,  which  Ave  quote,  not  as  applying  in  all  cases,  but 
to  show  what  are  generally  thought  the  principal  requisites 
of  this  road  in  the  modern  style. 

First.  It  ought  to  be  a  road  to  the  house,  and  to  that 
principally. 

Secondly.  If  it  be  not  naturally  the  nearest  road 
possible,  it  ought  artificially  to  be  made  to  appear  so. 

Thirdly.  The  artificial  obstacles  which  make  this  road 
the  nearest,  ought  to  appear  natural. 

Fourthly.  Where  an  approach  quits  the  high  road,  it 
ought  not  to  break  from  it  at  right  angles,  or  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  rob  the  entrance  of  importance,  but  rather 
at  some  bend  of  the  public  road,  from  which  a  lodge  or 
gate  may  be  more  conspicuous  ;  and  where  the  high  road 
may  appear  to  branch  from  the  approach,  rather  than  the 
approach  from  the  high  road. 


292 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Fifthly.  After  the  approach  enters  the  park,  it  should 
avoid  skirting  along  its  boundary,  which  betrays  the  want 
of  extent  or  unity  of  property. 

Sixthly.  The  house,  unless  very  large  and  magnificent, 
should  not  be  seen  at  so  great  a  distance  as  to  make  it 
appear  much  less  than  it  really  is. 

Seventhly.  The  first  view  of  the  house  should  be  from 
the  most  pleasing  point  of  sight. 

Eighthly.  As  soon  as  the  house  is  visible  from  the 
approach,  there  should  be  no  temptation  to  quit  it  (which 
will  ever  be  the  case  if  the  road  be  at  all  circuitous), 
unless  sufficient  obstacles,  such  as  water  or  inaccessible- 
ground,  appear  to  justify  its  course.* 

Although  there  are  many  situations  where  these  rules 
must  be  greatly  modified  in  practice,  }^et  the  improver  will 
do  well  to  bear  them  in  mind,  as  it  is  infinitely  more  easy 
to  make  occasional  deviations  from  general  rules,  than  to 
carry  out  a  tasteful  improvement  without  any  guiding 
principles. 

There  are  many  fine  country  residences  on  the  banks  of 
the  Hudson,  Connecticut,  and  other  rivers,  where  the  pro- 
prietors are  often  much  perplexed  and  puzzled  by  the 
situation  of  their  houses ;  the  building  presenting  really 
two  fronts,  while  they  appear  to  desire  only  one.  Such  is 
the  case  when  the  estate  is  situated  between  the  public 
road  on  one  side,  and  the  river  on  the  other ;  and  we  have 
often  seen  the  Approach  artificially  tortured  into  a  long 
circuitous  route,  in  order  finally  to  arrive  at  what  the 
proprietor  considers  the  true  front,  viz.  the  side  nearest 
the  river.    When  a  building  is  so  situated,  much  the  most 

*  Repton's  Inquiry  into  the  Changes  of  Taste  in  Landscape  Gardening,  p.  109. 


TREATMENT   OF   GROUND.  FORMATION   OF   WALKS.  20o 

elegant  effect  is  produced  by  having  two  fronts :  one,  the 
entrance  front,  with  the  porch  or  portico  nearest  the  road, 
and  the  other,  the  riverfront,  facing  the  water.  The  beaui y 
of  the  whole  is  often  surprisingly  enhanced  by  this  arrange- 
ment, for  the  visitor,  after  passing  by  the  Approach  through 
a  considerable  portion  of  the  grounds,  with  perhaps  but 
slight  and  partial  glimpses  of  the  river,  is  most  agreeably 
surprised  on  entering  the  house,  and  looking  from  the 
drawing-room  windows  of  the  other  front,  to  behold  another 
Beautiful  scene  totally  different  from  the  last,  enriched  and 
ennobled  by  the  wide-spread  sheet  of  water  before  him. 
Much  of  the  effect  produced  by  this  agreeable  surprise 
from  the  interior,  it  will  readily  be  seen,  would  be  lost,  if 
the  stranger  had  already  driven  round  and  alighted  on  the 
river  front. 

The  Drive  is  a  variety  of  road  rarely  seen  among  us,  yet 
which  may  be  made  a  very  agreeable  feature  in  some  of 
our  country  residences,  at  a  small  expense.  It  is  intended 
for  exercise  more  secluded  than  that  upon  the  public  road, 
and  to  show  the  interesting  portions  of  the  place  from  the 
carriage,  or  on  horseback.  Of  course  it  can  only  be  formed 
upon  places  of  considerable  extent ;  but  it  enhances  the 
enjoyment  of  such  places  very  highly,  in  the  estimation  of 
those  who  are  fond  of  equestrian  exercises.  It  generally 
commences  where  the  approach  terminates,  viz.  near  the 
house  :  and  from  thence,  proceeds  in  the  same  easy  curvi- 
linear manner  through  various  parts  of  the  grounds,  farm 
or  estate.  Sometimes  it  sweeps  through  the  pleasure 
grounds,  and  returns  along  the  very  beach  of  the  rivei, 
beneath  the  fine  overhanging  foliage  of  its  projecting  bank ; 
sometimes  it  proceeds  towards  some  favorite  point  of 
view,  or  interesting  spot  on  the  landscape  ;  or  at  others  if, 


294 


L  A  X  DSC  APE   GAUD  I  IN  ING. 


leaves  the  lawn  and  traverses  the  farm,  giving  the  pro- 
prietor an  opportunity  to  examine  his  crops,  or  exhibit 
his  agricultural  resources  to  his  friends. 

Walks  are  laid  out  for  purposes  similar  to  Drives,  but 
are  much  more  common,  and  may  be  introduced  into  every 
scene,  however  limited.  They  are  intended  solely  for 
promenades,  or  exercise  on  foot,  and  should  therefore  be 
dry  and  firm,  if  possible,  at  all  seasons  when  it  is  desirable 
to  use  them.  Some  may  be  open  to  the  south,  sheltered 
with  evergreens,  and  made  dry  and  hard  for  a  warm  pro- 
menade in  winter ;  others  formed  of  closely  mown  turf, 
and  thickly  shaded  by  a  leafy  canopy  of  verdure,  for  a  cool 
retreat  in  the  midst  of  summer.  Others  again  may  lead  to 
some  sequestered  spot,  and  terminate  in  a  secluded  rustic 
seat,  or  conduct  to  some  shaded  dell  or  rugged  eminence, 
where  an  extensive  prospect  can  be  enjoyed.  Indeed,  the 
genius  of  the  place  must  suggest  the  direction,  length,  and 
number  of  the  walks  to  be  laid  out,  as  no  fixed  rules  can  be 
imposed  in  a  subject  so  everchanging  and  different.  It 
should,  however,  never  be  forgotten,  that  the  walk  ought 
always  to  correspond  to  the  scene  it  traverses,  being  rough 
where  the  latter  is  wild  and  picturesque,  sometimes  scarcely 
differing  from  a  common  footpath,  and  more  polished  as 
the  surrounding  objects  show  evidences  of  culture  and  high 
keeping.  In  direction,  like  the  approach,  it  should  take 
easy  flowing  curves,  though  it  may  often  turn  more 
abruptly  at  the  interposition  of  an  obstacle.  The  chief 
beauty  of  curved  and  bending  lines  in  walks,  lies  in  the 
new  scenes  which  by  means  of  them  are  opened  tc  the 
eye.  In  the  straight  walk  of  half  a  mile  the  whole  is  seen 
at  a  glance,  and  there  is  too  often  but  little  to  excite  tho 
spectator  to  pursue  the  search  ;  but  in  the  modern  style,  at 


TREATMENT   OF   GROUND.  FORMATION   OF   WALKS.  2U5 


every  few  rods,  a  new  turn  in  the  walk  opens  a  new 
prospect  to  the  beholder,  and  "  leads  the  eye,"  as  Hogarth 
graphically  expressed  it,  "a  kind  of  wanton  chase,"  con- 
tinually  affording  new  refreshment  and  variety. 

Fences  are  often  among  the  most  unsightly  and  offensive 
objects  in  our  country  seats.  Some  persons  appear  to 
have  a  passion  for  subdividing  their  grounds  into  a  great 
number  of  fields ;  a  process  which  is  scarcely  ever 
advisable  even  in  common  farms,  but  for  which  there  can 
be  no  apology  in  elegant  residences.  The  close  proximity 
of  fences  to  the  house  gives  the  whole  place  a  confined 
and  mean  character.  "  The  mind,"  says  Repton,  "  feels  a 
certain  disgust  under  a  sense  of  confinement  in  any 
situation,  however  beautiful."  A  wide-spread  lawn,  on  the 
contrary,  where  no  boundaries  are  conspicuous,  conveys 
an  impression  of  ample  extent  and  space  for  enjoyment, 
ft  is  frequently  the  case  that,  on  that  side  of  the  house 
nearest  the  outbuildings,  fences  are,  for  convenience, 
brought  in  its  close  neighborhood,  and  here  they  are  easily 
concealed  by  plantations  ;  but  on  the  other  sides,  open  and 
unobstructed  views  should  be  preserved,  by  removing  all 
barriers  not  absolutely  necessary. 

Nothing  is  more  common,  in  the  places  of  cockneys  who 
become  inhabitants  of  the  country,  than  a  display  imme- 
diately around  the  dwelling  of  a  spruce  paling  of  carpentry, 
neatly  made,  and  painted  white  or  green  ;  an  abomination 
among  the  fresh  fields,  of  which  no  person  of  taste  could 
be  guilty.  To  fence  off  a  small  plot  around  a  fine  house, 
in  the  midst  of  a  lawn  of  fifty  acres,  is  a  perversity  which 
we  could  never  reconcile,  with  even  the  lowest  perception 
of  beauty.  An  old  stone  wall  covered  with  creepers  and 
climbing  plants,  may  become    a  picturesque  barrier  a 


296 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


thousand  times  superior  to  such  a  fence.  But  there  is 
never  one  instance  in  a  thousand  where  any  barrier  is 
necessary.  Where  it  is  desirable  to  separate  the  house 
from  the  level  grass  of  the  lawn,  let  it  be  done  by  an 
architectural  terrace  of  stone,  or  a  raised  platform  of 
gravel  supported  by  turf,  which  will  confer  importance  and 
dignity  upon  the  building,  instead  of  giving  it  a  petty  and 
trifling  expression. 

Verdant  hedges  are  elegant  substitutes  for  stone  or 
wooden  fences,  and  we  are  surprised  that  their  use  has  not 
been  hitherto  more  general.  We  have  ourselves  Deen 
making  experiments  for  the  last  ten  years  with  various 
hedge-plants,  and  have  succeeded  in  obtaining  some 
hedges  which  are  now  highly  admired.  Five  or  six  years 
will,  in  this  climate,  under  proper  care,  be  sufficient  to 
produce  hedges  of  great  beauty,  capable  of  withstanding 
the  attacks  of  every  kind  of  cattle  ;  barriers,  too,  which 
will  outlast  many  generations.  The  common  Arbor-  Vitce 
(or  flat  Cedar),  which  grows  in  great  abundance  in  many 
districts,  forms  one  of  the  most  superb  hedges,  without  the 
least  care  in  trimming;  the  foliage  growing  thickly  down 
to  the  very  ground,  and  being  evergreen,  the  hedge 
remains  clothed  the  whole  year.  Our  common  Thorns, 
and  in  particular  those  known  in  the  nurseries  as  the 
Newcastle  and  Washington  thorns,  form  hedges  of  great 
strength  and  beauty.  They  are  indeed  much  better 
adapted  to  this  climate  than  the  English  Hawthorn,  which 
often  suffers  from  the  unclouded  radiance  of  our  midsummei 
sun.  In  autumn,  too,  it  loses  its  foliage  much  sooner  than 
our  native  sorts,  some  of  which  assume  a  brilliant  scarlet 
when  the  foliage  is  fading  in  autumn.  In  New  England, 
the  Buckthorn  is  preferred  from  its  rapid  and  luxuriant 


TREATMENT   OF   GROUND.  FORMATION   OF   WALKS.  297 


growth  ;*  and  in  the  middle  states,  the  Maclura,  or  Osage 
Orange,  is  becoming  a  favorite  for  its  glossy  and  polished 
foliage.  The  Privet,  or  Prim,  is  a  rapid  growing  shrub, 
well  fitted  for  interior  divisions.  Picturesque  hedges  are 
easily  formed  by  intermingling  a  variety  of  flowering 
shrubs,  sweet  briers,  etc.,  and  allowing  the  whole  to  grow 
together  in  rich  masses.  For  this  purpose  the  Michigan 
rose  is  admirably  adapted  at  the  north,  and  the  Cherokee 
rose  at  the  south.  In  all  cases  where  hedges  are  employed 
in  the  natural  style  of  landscape  (and  not  in  close  con- 
nexion with  highly  artificial  objects,  buildings,  etc.),  a 
more  agreeable  effect  will  be  produced  by  allowing  the 
hedge  to  grow  somewhat  irregular  in  form,  or  varying  it 
by  planting  near  it  other  small  trees  and  shrubs  to  break 
the  outline,  than  by  clipping  it  in  even  and  formal  lines. 
Hedges  may  be  obtained  in  a  single  season,  by  planting 
long  shoots  of  the  osier  willow,  or  any  other  tree  which 
throws  out  roots  easily  from  cuttings. 

A  simple  and  pleasing  barrier,  in  good  keeping  with 
cottage  residences,  may  be  formed  of  rustic  work,  as  it  is 
termed.  For  this  purpose,  stout  rods  of  any  of  our  native 
forest  trees  are  chosen  (Cedar  being  preferable)  with  the 
bark  on,  six  to  ten  feet  in  length  ;  these  are  sharpened  and 
driven  into  the  ground  in  the  form  of  a  lattice,  or  wrought 
into  any  figures  of  trellis  that  the  fancy  may  suggest. 
When  covered  with  luxuriant  vines  and  climbing  plants, 
such  a  barrier  is  often  admirable  for  its  richness  and 
variety. 

*  The  Buckthorn  is  perhaps  the  best  plant  where  a  thick  screen  is  very 
speedily  desired.  It  is  not  liable  to  the  attack  of  insects  ;  grows  very  thickly 
at  the  bottom,  at  once;  and  will  make  an  efficient  screen  sooner  than  almost 
»ny  other  plant. 


298 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


The  sunken  fence,  fosse,  or  ha-ha,  is  an  English  in- 
vention, used  in  separating  that  portion  of  the  lawn  near 
the  house,  from  the  part  grazed  by  deer  or  cattle,  and  is 
only  a  ditch  sufficiently  wide  and  deep  to  render  com- 
munication difficult  on  opposite  sides.  When  the  ground 
slopes  from  the  house,  such  a  sunk  fence  is  invisible  to  a 
person  near  the  latter,  and  answers  the  purpose  of  a 
barrier  without  being  in  the  least  obtrusive. 

In  a  succeeding  section  we  shall  refer  to  terraces  with 
their  parapets,  which  are  by  far  the  most  elegant  barriers 
for  a  highly  decorated  flower  garden,  or  for  the  purpose  of 
maintaining  a  proper  connexion  between  the  house  and  the 
grounds,  a  subject  which  is  scarcely  at  all  attended  to,  or 
its  importance  even  recognised  as  yet  among  us. 


T.EATMEItfT   OF   WATER.  099 


SECTION  VIII. 

TREATMENT   OF  WATER. 

Beautiful  effects  of  this  element  in  nature.  In  what  cases  it  is  desirable  to  attempt  the 
formation  of  artificial  pieces  of  water.  Regular  forms  nnpleasing.  Directions  for  the 
formation  of  ponds  or  lakes  in  the  irregular  manner.  Study  of  natural  lakes.  Islands 
Planting  the  margin.  Treatment  of  natural  brooks  and  rivulets.  Cascades  and  water 
falls.   Legitimate  sphere  of  the  art  in  this  department. 

 The  dale 

With  woods  o'erhung,  and  shagg'd  with  mossy  rocks, 
Whence  on  each  hand  the  gushing  waters  play, 
And  down  the  rough  cascade  white-dashing  fall, 
Or  gleam  in  lengthened  vista  through  the  trees. 

Thomson. 


H  E  delightful  and  captivating  effects  of 
water  in  landscapes  of  every  description 
are  universally  known  and  admitted. 
The  boundless  sea,  the  broad  full  river,  the  dashing  noisy 
brook,  and  the  limpid  meandering  rivulet,  are  all  possessed 
of  their  peculiar  charms  ;  and  when  combined  with  scenes 
otherwise  finely  disposed  and  well  wooded,  they  add  a 
hundred  fold  to  their  beauty.  The  soft  and  trembling 
shadows  of  the  surrounding  trees  and  hills,  as  they  fall 
upon  a  placid  sheet  of  water — the  brilliant  light  which  the 
crystal  surface  reflects  in  pure  sunshine,  mirroring,  too,  at 
times  in  its  resplendent  bosom,  all  the  cerulean  depth  and 
snowy  whiteness  of  the  overhanging  sky,  give  it  an  almost 


300 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


magical  effect  in  a  beautiful  landscape.  The  murmur  of 
the  babbling  brook,  that 

"  In  linked  sweetness  long  drawn  out," 

falls  upon  the  ear  in  some  quiet  secluded  spot,  is  inex 
pressibly  soothing  and  delightful  to  the  mind  ;  and  the 
deeper  sound  of  the  cascade  that  rushes,  with  an  almost 
musical  dash,  over  its  bed  of  moss-covered  rock,  is  one  of 
the  most  fascinating  of  the  many  elements  of  enjoyment 
in  a  fine  country  seat.  The  simplest  or  the  most  mono- 
tonous view  may  be  enlivened  by  the  presence  of  water  in 
any  considerable  quantity ;  and  the  most  picturesque  and 
striking  landscape  will,  by  its  addition,  receive  a  new 
charm,  inexpressibly  enhancing  all  its  former  interest. 
In  short,  as  no  place  can  be  considered  perfectly  complete 
without  either  a  water  view  or  water  upon  its  own 
grounds,  wherever  it  does  not  so  exist  and  can  be  easily 
formed  by  artificial  means,  no  man  will  neglect  to  take 
advantage  of  so  fine  a  source  of  embellishment  as  is  this 
element  in  some  of  its  varied  forms. 

"   Fleuves,  ruisseaux,  beaux  lacs,  claires  fontaines, 

Venez,  portez  partout  la  vie  et  la  fraicheur  ? 

Ah !  qui  peut  remplacer  votre  aspect  enchanteur  1 

De  pres  il  nous  amuse,  et  de  loin  nous  invite : 

C'est  le  premier  qu'on  cherche,  et  le  dernier  qu'on  quitte. 

Vous  fecondez  les  champs  ;  vous  repetez  les  cieux  ; 

Vous  enchantez  l'oreille,  et  vous  charmez  les  yeux." 

In  this  country,  where  the  progress  of  gardening  and 
improvements  of  this  nature,  is  rather  shown  in  a  simple 
and  moderate  embellishment  of  a  large  number  of  villas 
and  country  seats,  than  by  a  lavish  and  profuse  expen- 
diture on  a  few  entailed  places,  as  in  the  residences  of  the 
English  nobility,  the  formation  of  large  pieces  of  water 


TREATMENT   OF  WATER. 


301 


a i  great  cost  and  extreme  labor,  would  be  considered 
!  oth  absurd  and  uncalled  for.  Indeed,  when  nature  has 
so  abundantly  spread  before  us  such  an  endless  variety  of 
superb  lakes,  rivers,  and  streams  of  every  size  and  descrip- 
tion, the  efforts  of  man  to  rival  her  great  works  by  mere 
imitation,  would,  in  most  cases,  only  become  ludicrous  by 
contrast. 

When,  however,  a  number  of  perpetual  springs  cluster 
together,  or  a  rill,  rivulet,  or  brook,  runs  through  an  estate 
in  such  a  manner  as  easily  to  be  improved  or  developed 
into  an  elegant  expanse  of  water  in  any  part  of  the 
grounds,  we  should  not  hesitate  to  take  advantage  of  so 
fortunate  a  circumstance.  Besides  the  additional  beauty 
conferred  upon  the  whole  place  by  such  an  improvement, 
the  proprietor  may  also  derive  an  inducement  from  its 
utility  ;  for  the  possession  of  a  small  lake,  well  stocked 
with  carp,  trout,  pickerel,  or  any  other  of  the  excellent 
pond  fish,  which  thrive  and  propagate  extremely  well  in 
clear  fresh  water,  is  a  real  advantage  which  no  one  will 
undervalue. 

There  is  no  department  of  Landscape  Gardening  which 
appears  to  have  been  less  understood  in  this  country  than 
the  management  of  water.  Although  there  have  not  been 
many  attempts  made  in  this  way,  yet  the  occasional  efforts 
that  have  been  put  forth  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  in 
the  shape  of  square,  circular,  and  oblong  pools  of  water, 
ind.cate  a  state  of  knowledge  extremely  meagre,  in  the  art 
of  Landscape  Gardening.  The  highest  scale  to  which 
these  pieces  of  water  rise  in  our  estimation  is  that  of 
respectable  horse-ponds;  beautiful  objects  they  certainly 
are  not.  They  are  generally  round  or  square,  with  per- 
fectly smooth,  flat  banks  on  every  side,  and  resemble  a 
huge  basin  set  down  in  the  middle  of  a  green  lawn. 


302 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Lakes  or  ponds  are  the  most  beautiful  forms  in  which 
water  can  be  displayed  in  the  grounds  of  a  country 
lesidence.*  They  invariably  produce  their  most  pleasing 
effects  when  they  are  below  the  level  of  the  house ;  as,  if 
above,  they  are  lost  to  the  view,  and  if  placed  on  a  level 
with  the  eye,  they  are  seen  to  much  less  advantage.  We 
conceive  that  they  should  never  be  introduced  where  they 
do  not  naturally  exist,  except  with  the  concurrence  of  the 
following  circumstances.  First,  a  sufficient  quantity  of 
running  water  to  maintain  at  all  times  an  overflow,  for 
nothing  can  be  more  unpleasant  than  a  stagnant  pool,  as 
nothing  is  more  delightful  than  pure,  clear,  limpid  water ; 
and  secondly,  some  natural  formation  of  ground,  in  which 
the  proposed  water  can  be  expanded,  that  will  not  only 
make  it  appear  natural,  but  diminish,  a  hundred  fold,  the 
expense  of  formation. 

The  finest  and  most  appropriate  place  to  form  a  lake,  is 
m  the  bottom  of  a  small  valley,  rather  broad  in  proportion 
to  its  length.  The  soil  there  will  probably  be  found  rather 
clayey  and  retentive  of  moisture  ;  and  the  rill  or  brook,  if 
not  already  running  through  it,  could  doubtless  be  easily 
diverted  thither.  There,  by  damming  up  the  lower  part 
of  the  valley  with  a  head  of  greater  or  less  height,  the  water 
may  be  thrown  back  so  as  to  form  the  whole  body  of  the 
lake. 

The  first  subject  which  will  demand  the  attention,  after 
the  spot  has  been  selected  for  the  lake  or  pond,  and  the 

*  Owing  to  the  immense  scale  upon  which  nature  displays  this  fine  elerneni 
in  North  America,  every  sheet  of  water  of  modeiate  or  small  size  is  almost 
universally  called  a  pond.  And  many  a  beautiful,  limpid,  natural  expanse, 
which  in  England  would  be  thought  a  charming  lake,  is  here  simply  a  pond. 
The  term  may  be  equally  correct,  but  it  is  by  no  means  as  elegant. 


TREATMENT   OF  WATER. 


303 


height  of  the  head  and  consequent  depth  of  water  deter 
mined  upon,  is  the  proposed  form  or  outline  of  the  whole 
And,  as  we  have  already  rejected  all  regular  and  geometric 
forms,  in  scenes  where  either  natural  or  picturesque  beauty 
is  supposed  to  predominate,  we  must  turn  our  attention  to 
examples  for  imitation  in  another  direction. 

If,  then,  the  improver  will  recur  to  the  most  beautiful 
small  natural  lake  within  his  reach,  he  will  have  a  subject 
to  study  and  an  example  to  copy  well  worthy  of  imitation. 
If  he  examine  minutely  and  carefully  such  a  body  of  watei, 
with  all  its  accompaniments,  he  will  find  that  it  is  not  only 
delightfully  wooded  and  overshadowed  by  a  variety  of 
vegetation  of  all  heights,  from  the  low  sedge  that  grows 
on  its  margin,  to  the  tall  tree  that  bends  its  branches  over 
its  limpid  wave  ;  but  he  will  also  perceive  a  striking  pecu- 
liarity in  its  irregular  outline.  This,  he  will  observe,  is 
neither  round,  square,  oblong,  nor  any  modification  of  these 
regular  figures,  but  full  of  bays  and  projections,  sinuosities, 
and  recesses  of  various  forms  and  sizes,  sometimes  bold, 
and  reaching  a  considerable  way  out  into  the  body  of  the 
lake,  at  others,  smaller  and  more  varied  in  shape  and  con- 
nexion. In  the  heights  of  the  banks,  too,  he  will  probably 
observe  considerable  variety.  At  some  places,  the  shore 
will  steal  gently  and  gradually  away  from  the  level  of  the 
water,  while  at  others  it  will  rise  suddenly  and  abruptly,  in 
banks  more  or  less  steep,  irregular,  and  rugged.  Rocks  and 
stones  covered  with  mosses,  will  here  and  there  jut  out 
from  the  banks,  or  lie  along  the  margin  of  the  water,  and 
the  whole  scene  will  be  full  of  interest  from  the  variety 
intricacy,  and  beauty  of  the  various  parts.  If  he  will 
accurately  note  in  his  mind  all  these  varied  forms — their 
separate  outlines,  the  way  in  which  they  blend  into  one 


304 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


another,  and  connect  themselves  together,  and  the  effect 
which,  surrounding  the  water,  they  produce  as  a  whole,  he 
will  have  some  tolerably  correct  ideas  of  the  way  in  which 
an  artificial  lake  ought  1o  be  formed. 

Let  him  go  still  further  now,  in  imagination,  and  suppose 
she  banks  of  this  natural  lake,  without  being  otherwise 
altered,  entirely  denuded  of  grass,  shrubs,  trees,  and  verdure 
of  every  description,  remaining  characterized  only  by  their 
original  form  and  outline  ;  this  will  give  him  a  more  com- 
plete view  of  the  method  in  which  his  labors  must  com- 
mence ;  for  uncouth  and  apparently  mis-shapen  as  those 
banks  are  and  must  be,  when  raw  and  unclothed,  to  exhibit 
all  their  variety  and  play  of  light  and  shadow  when  verdant 
and  complete,  so  also  must  the  original  form  of  the  ban^s 
and  margin  of  the  piece  of  artificial  water,  in  order  finally 
to  assume  the  beautiful  or  picturesque,  be  made  to  assume 
outlines  equally  rough  and  harsh  in  their  raw  and  incom- 
plete state. 

It  occasionally  happens,  though  rarely,  that  around  the 
hollow  or  valley  where  it  is  proposed  to  form  the  piece  of 
water,  the  ground  rises  in  such  irregular  form,  and  is  so 
undulating,  receding,  and  projecting  in  various  parts,  that 
when  the  water  is  dammed  up  by  the  head  below,  the 
natural  outline  formed  by  the  banks  already  existing,  is 
sufficiently  varied  to  produce  a  pleasing  effect  without  much 
further  preparatory  labor.  This,  when  it  occurs,  is  exceed- 
ingly fortunate  ;  but  the  examples  are  so  unfrequent,  that 
we  must  here  make  our  suggestions  upon  a  different  sup- 
position. 

When,  therefore,  it  is  found  that  the  form  of  the  intended 
lake  would  not  be  such  as  is  desirable,  it  must  be  made  so 
by  digging.    In  order  to  do  this  with  any  exactness  the 


TREATMENT   OF  WATER. 


305 


improver  should  take  his  stand  at  that  part  cf  the  ground 
where  the  dam  or  head  is  to  be  formed,  and  raising  his 
levelling  instrument  to  the  exact  height  to  which  the 
intended  lake  will  rise,  sweep  round  with  his  eye  upon  the 
surrounding  sides  of  the  valley,  and  indicate  by  placing 
marks  there,  the  precise  line  to  which  the  water  will  reach. 
This  can  easily  be  done  throughout  the  whole  circumference 
by  a  few  changes  of  position. 

When  the  outline  is  ascertained  in  this  way,  and  marked 
out,  the  improver  can,  with  the  occasional  aid  of  the  leveller, 
easily  determine  where  and  how  he  can  make  alterations 
and  improvements.  He  will  then  excavate  along  the  new 
margin,  until  he  makes  the  water  line  (as  shown  by  the 
instrument)  penetrate  to  all  the  various  bays,  inlets,  and 
curves  of  the  proposed  lake.  In  making  these  irregular 
variations,  sometimes  bold  and  striking,  at  others  fainter 
and  less  perceptible,  he  can  be  guided,  as  we  have  already 
suggested,  by  no  fixed  rules,  but  such  as  he  may  deduce 
from  the  operations  of  nature  on  the  same  materials,  or  by 
imbuing  his  mind  with  the  beauty  of  forms  in  graceful  and 
refined  art.  In  highly  polished  scenery,  elegant  curves  and 
graceful  sweeps  should  enter  into  the  composition  of  the 
outline  ;  but  in  wilder  or  more  picturesque  situations,  more 
irregular  and  abrupt  variations  will  be  found  most  suitable 
and  appropriate. 

The  intended  water  outline  once  fully  traced  and  under- 
stood, the  workmen  can  now  proceed  to  form  the  banks. 
All  this  time  the  improver  will  keep  in  mind  the  supposed 
appearance  of  the  bank  of  a  natural  lake  stripped  of  its 
vegetation,  etc.,  which  will  greatly  assist  him  in  his  progress. 
In  some  places  the  banks  will  rise  but  little  from  the  water 

at  others  one  or  two  feet,  and  at  others  perhaps  three,  four, 

20 


806 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


or  six  times  as  much.  This  they  will  do,  not  in  the  same 
manner  in  all  portions  of  the  outline,  sloping  away  with  a 
like  gradual  rise  on  both  sides,  for  this  would  inevitably 
produce  tamencss  and  monotony,  but  in  an  irregular  and 
varied  manner;  sometimes  falling  back  gradually,  some- 
times starting  up  perpendicularly,  and  again  overhanging 
the  bed  cf  the  lake  itself. 

All  this  can  be  easily  effected  while  the  excavations  of 
those  portions  of  the  bed  which  require  deepening  are 
going  on.  And  the  better  portions  of  the  soil  obtained 
from  the  latter,  will  serve  to  raise  the  banks  when  they  are 
too  low. 

It  is  of  but  little  consequence  how  roughly  and 
irregularly  the  projections,  elevations,  etc.,  of  the  banks 
and  outlines  are  at  first  made,  so  that  some  general  form 
and  connexion  is  preserved.  The  danger  lies  on  the  other 
side,  viz.  in  producing  a  whole  too  tame  and  insipid  ;  for 
we  have  found  by  experience,  how  difficult  it  is  to  make 
the  best  workmen  understand  how  to  operate  in  any  othei 
way  than  in  regular  curves  and  straight  lines.  Besides, 
newly  moved  earth,  by  settling  and  the  influence  of  rains, 
etc.,  tends,  for  some  time,  towards  greater  evenness  and 
equality  of  surface. 

In  arranging  these  outlines  and  banks,  we  should  study 
the  effect  at  the  points  from  which  they  will  generally  be 
viewed.  Some  pieces  of  water  in  valleys,  are  looked 
down  upon  from  other  and  higher  parts  of  the  demesne ; 
others  (and  this  is  most  generally  the  case)  are  only  seen 
from  the  adjoining  walk,  at  some  point  or  points  where  the 
latter  approaches  the  lake.    They  are  most  generally  seen 


TREATMENT    OF  WATER. 


307 


from  one,  and  seldom  from  more  than  two  sides.  When  a 
lake  is  viewed  from  above,  its  contour  should  be  studied 
as  a  whole;  but  when  it  is  only  seen  from  one  or  more 
sides  or  points,  the  beauty  of  the  coup  oVozil  from  those 
positions  can  often  be  greatly  increased  by  some  trifling 
alterations  in  arrangement.  A  piece  of  water  which  is  long 
and  comparatively  narrow,  appears  extremely  different 
in  opposite  points  of  view ;  if  seen  lengthwise  from  either 
extremity,  its  apparent  breadth  and  extent  is  much 
increased  ;  while,  if  the  spectator  be  placed  on  one  side 
and  look  across,  it  will  seem  narrow  and  insignificant. 
Now,  although  the  form  of  an  artificial  lake  of  moderate 
size  should  never  be  much  less  in  breadth  than  in  length, 
yet  the  contrary  is  sometimes  unavoidably  the  case  ;  and 
being  so,  we  should  by  all  means  avail  ourselves  of  those 
well  known  laws  in  perspective,  which  will  place  them  in 
the  best  possible  position,  relative  to  the  spectator. 

If  the  improver  desire  to  render  his  banks  still  more 
picturesque,  resembling  the  choicest  morceaux  of  natural 
banks,  he  should  go  a  step  further  in  arranging  his  materials 
before  he  introduces  the  water,  or  clothes  the  margin  with 
vegetation.  In  analysing  the  finest  poitions  of  natural 
banks,  it  will  be  observed  that  their  peculiar  characteristics 
often  depend  on  other  objects  besides  the  mere  ground  of 
the  surrounding  banks,  and  the  trees  and  verdure  with 
which  they  are  clothed.  These  are,  rocks  of  various  size, 
forms,  and  colors,  often  projecting  out  of  or  holding  up  the 
bank  in  various  places  ;  stones  sometimes  imbedded  in  the 
soil,  sometimes  lying  loosely  along  the  shore  ;  and  lastly, 
old  stumps  of  trees  with  gnarled  roots,  whose  decaying  hues 
are  often  extremely  mellow  and  agreeable  to  the  eye.  All 
these  have  much  to  do  with  the  expression  of  a  truly  pic- 


308 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


turesque  bank,  and  cannot  be  excluded  or  taken  away  from 
it  without  detracting  largely  from  its  character.  There  is 
no  reason,  therefore,  in  an  imitation  of  nature,  why  we 
should  not  make  use  of  all  her  materials  to  produce  a  similar 
effect ;  and  although  in  the  raw  and  rude  state  of  the  banks 
at  first,  they  may  have  a  singular  and  rather  outre  aspect, 
stuck  round  and  decorated  here  and  there  with  large  rocks, 
smaller  stones,  and  old  stumps  of  trees  ;  yet  it  must  be 
remembered  that  this  is  only  the  chaotic  state,  from  which 
the  new  creation  is  to  emerge  more  perfectly  formed  and 
completed ;  and  also  that  the  appearance  of  these  rocks 
and  stumps,  when  covered  with  mosses,  and  partially 
overgrown  with  a  profusion  of  luxuriant  vegetation  and 
climbing  plants,  will  be  as  beautifully  picturesque  after  a 
little  time  has  elapsed,  as  it  is  now  uncouth  and  uninviting. 

Islands  generally  contribute  greatly  to  the  beauty  of  a 
piece  of  water.  They  serve,  still  further,  to  increase  the 
variety  of  outline,  and  to  break  up  the  wide  expanse  of 
liquid  into  secondary  portions,  without  injuring  the  effect 
of  the  whole.  The  striking  contrast,  too,  between  their 
verdure,  the  color  of  their  margins,  composed  of  variously 
tinted  soils  and  stones,  and  the  still,  smooth  water  around 
them, — softened  and  blended  as  this  contrast  is,  by  their 
shadows  reflected  back  from  the  limpid  element,  gives 
additional  richness  to  the  picture. 

The  distribution  of  islands  in  a  lake  or  pond  requires 
some  judgment.  They  will  always  appear  most  natural 
when  sufficiently  near  the  shore,  on  either  side,  to  maintain 
in  appearance  some  connexion  with  it.  Although  islands 
do  sometimes  occur  near  the  middle  of  natural  lakes,  yet 
the  effect  is  by  no  means  good,  as  it  not  only  breaks  and 
distracts  the  effects  of  the  whole  expanse  by  dividing  it  into 


TREATMENT   OF  WATER. 


300 


two  distinct  parts,  but  it  always  indicates  a  shallowness  or 
want  of  depth  where  the  water  should  be  deepest. 

There  are  two  situations  where  it  is  universally  admitted 
that  islands  may  be  happily  introduced.  These  are,  at  the 
inlet  and  the  exit  of  the  body  of  water.  In  many  cases 
where  the  stream  which  supplies  the  lake  is  not  remark- 
able for  size,  and  will  add  nothing  to  the  appearance  of  the 
whole  view  from  the  usual  points  of  sight,  it  may  be  con- 
cealed by  an  island  or  small  group  of  islands,  placed  at 
some  little  distance  in  front  of  it.  The  head  or  dam  of  a 
lake,  too,  is  often  necessarily  so  formal  and  abrupt,  that  it 
is  difficult  to  make  it  appear  natural  and  in  good  keeping 
with  the  rest  of  the  margin.  The  introduction  of  an  island 
or  two,  placed  near  the  main  shore,  on  either  side,  and 
projecting  as  far  as  possible  before  the  dam,  will  greatly 
diminish  this  disagreeable  formality,  particularly  if  well 
clothed  with  a  rich  tuft  of  shrubs  and  overhanging  bushes. 

Except  in  these  two  instances,  islands  should  be 
generally  placed  opposite  the  salient  points  of  the  banks, 
or  near  those  places  where  small  breaks  or  promontories 
run  out  into  the  water.  In  such  situations,  they  will 
increase  the  irregularity  of  the  outline,  and  lend  it 
additional  spirit  and  animation.  Should  they,  on  the  other 
hand,  be  seated  in  or  near  the  marginal  curve  and  inden- 
tations, they  will  only  serve  to  clog  up  these  recesses ; 
and  while  their  own  figures  are  lost  in  these  little  bays 
where  they,  are  hidden,  by  lessening  the  already  existing 
irregularities,  they  will  render  the  whole  outline  tame 
and  spiritless. 

On  one  or  two  of  these  small  islands,  little  rustic 
habitations,  if  it  coincide  with  the  taste  of  the  proprietor, 
may  be  made  for  different  aquatic  birds  or  waterfowl, 


310 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


which  will  much  enliven  the  scene  by  their  fine  plumage. 
Among  these  the  swan  is  pre-eminent,  for  its  beauty  and 
gracefulness.  Abroad,  they  are  the  almost  conslant 
accompaniments  of  water  in  the  ground  of  country 
residences  ;  and  it  cannot  be  denied  that,  floating  about  in 
the  limpid  wave,  with  their  snow-white  plumage  and 
superbly  curved  necks,  they  are  extremely  elegant  objects. 

After  having  arranged  the  banks,  reared  up  the  islands, 
and  completely  formed  the  bed  of  the  proposed  lake,  the 
improver  will  next  proceed,  at  the  proper  period,  to  finish 
his  labors  by  clothing  the  newly  formed  ground,  in  various 
parts,  wTith  vegetation.  This  may  be  done  immediately,  if 
it  be  desirable  ;  or  if  the  season  be  not  favorable,  it  may  be 
deferred  until  the  banks,  and  all  the  newly  formed  earth, 
have  had  time  to  settle  and  assume  their  final  forms,  after 
the  dam  has  been  closed,  and  the  whole  basin  filled  to  its 
intended  height. 

Planting  the  margins  of  pieces  of  water,  if  they  should 
be  of  much  extent,  must  evidently  proceed  upon  the  same 
leading  principle  that  we  have  already  laid  down  for 
ornamental  plantations  in  other  situations.  That  is,  there 
must  be  trees  of  different  heights  and  sizes,  and  underwood 
and  shrubs  of  lower  growth,  disposed  sometimes  singly,  at 
others  in  masses,  groups,  and  thickets  :  in  all  of  which 
forms, connexion  must  be  preserved,  and  the  whole  must  be 
made  to  blend  well  together,  while  the  different  sizes  and 
contours  will  prevent  any  sameness  and  confusion.  On 
the  retreating  dry  banks,  the  taller  and  more  sturdy 
deciduous  and  evergreen  trees,  as  the  oak,  ash,  etc.,  may 
be  planted,  and  nearer  by,  the  different  willows,  the  elm, 
the  alder,  and  other  trees  that  love  a  moister  situation,  will 
thrive  well.    It  is  indispensably  necessary,  in  order  to 


TREATMENT   OF  WATER. 


produce  breadth  of  effect  and  strong  rich  contrasts,  that 
wtidenoood  should  be  employed  to  clothe  many  parts  of  the 
banks.  Without  it,  the  stems  of  trees  will  appear  loose 
and  straggling,  and  the  screen  will  be  so  imperfect  as  to 
allow  a  free  passage  for  the  vision  in  every  direction.  For 
this  purpose,  we  have  in  all  our  woods,  swamps,  and  along 
out  brooks,  an  abundance  of  hazels,  hawthorns,  alders, 
sp'ce  woods,  winter  berries,  azaleas,  spireas,  and  a  hundred 
other  fine  low  shrubs,  growing  wild,  which  are  by  nature 
extremely  well  fitted  for  such  sites,  and  will  produce 
immediate  effect  on  being  transplanted.  These  may  be 
intermingled,  here  and  there,  with  the  swamp  button-bush 
(Cephalanthus),  which  bears  handsome  white  globular  heads 
of  blossoms,  and  the  swamp  magnolia,  which  is  highly 
beautiful  and  fragrant.  On  cool  north  banks,  among 
shelves  of  proper  soil  upheld  by  projecting  ledges  of  rock, 
our  native  Kalmias  and  Rhododendrons,  the  common  and 
mountain  laurels,  may  be  made  to  flourish.  The  Virginia 
Creeper,  and  other  beautiful  wild  vines,  may  be  planted  at 
the  roots  of  some  of  the  trees  to  clamber  up  their  stems, 
and  the  wild  Clematis  so  placed  that  its  luxuriant  festoons 
shall  hang  gracefully  from  the  projecting  boughs  of  some  of 
the  overarching  trees.  Along  the  lower  banks  and  closer 
margins,  the  growth  of  smaller  plants  will  be  encouraged, 
and  various  kinds  of  wild  ferns  may  be  so  planted  as 
partially  to  conceal,  overrun,  and  hide  the  rocks  and 
stumps  of  trees,  while  trailing  plants,  as  the  periwinkle  and 
moneywort  (Lysamachia  nummularia),  will  still  further 
increase  the  intricacy  and  richness  of  such  portions.  In 
this  way,  the  borders  of  the  lake  will  resemble  the  finest 
portions  of  the  banks  of  picturesque  and  beautiful  natural 
dells  and  pieces  of  water,  and  the  effect  of  the  whole  when 


312 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


time  has  given  it  the  benefit  of  its  softening  touches,  if  it 
has  been  thus  properly  executed,  will  not  be  much  inferior 
to  those  matchless  bits  of  fine  landscape.  A  more  striking 
and  artistical  effect  will  be  produced  by  substituting  for 
native  trees  and  shrubs,  common  on  the  banks  of  streams 
and  lakes  in  the  country,  only  rare  foreign  shrubs,  vines, 
and  aquatic  plants  of  hardy  growth,  suitable  for  such 
situations.  While  these  are  arranged  in  the  same  manner 
as  the  former,  from  their  comparative  novelty,  especially 
in  such  sites,  they  will  at  once  convey  the  idea  of  refined 
and  elegant  art. 

If  any  person  will  take  the  trouble  to  compare  a  piece  of 
water  so  formed,  when  complete,  with  the  square  or  circular 
sheets  or  ponds  now  in  vogue  among  us,  he  must  indeed  be 
little  gifted  with  an  appreciation  of  the  beautiful,  if  he  do 
not  at  once  perceive  the  surpassing  merit  of  the  natural 
style.  In  the  old  method,  the  banks,  level,  or  rising  on  all 
sides,  without  any  or  but  few  surrounding  trees,  carefully 
gravelled  along  the  edge  of  the  water,  or  what  is  still  worse, 
walled  up,  slope  away  in  a  tame,  dull,  uninteresting  grass 
field.  In  the  natural  method,  the  outline  is  varied,  some- 
times receding  from  the  eye,  at  others  stealing  out,  and 
inviting  the  gaze — the  banks  here  slope  off  gently  with  a 
gravelly  beach,  and  there  rise  abruptly  in  different  heights', 
abounding  with  hollows,  projections,  and  eminences,  show- 
ing various  colored  locks  and  soils,  intermingled  with  a 
luxuriant  vegetation  of  all  sizes  and  forms,  corresponding  to 
the  different  situations.  Instead  of  allowing  the  sun  to 
pour  down  in  one  blaze  of  light,  without  any  objects  to 
soften  it  with  their  shade,  the  thick  overhanging  groups  and 
masses  of  trees  cast,  here  and  there,  deep  cool  shadows. 
Stealing  through  the  leaves  and  branches,  the  sun-beams 


TREATMENT   OF  WATER. 


313 


quiver  and  play  upon  the  surface  of  the  flood,  and  are 
reilected  back  in  dancing  light,  while  their  full  glow  upon 
the  broader  and  more  open  portions  of  the  lake  is  relieved, 
and  brought  into  harmony  by  the  cooler  and  softer  tints 
mirrored  in  the  water  from  the  surrounding  hues  and  tints 
of  banks,  rocks,  and  vegetation. 

Natural  brooks  and  rivulets  may  often  be  improved 
greatly  by  a  few  trifling  alterations  and  additions,  when 
they  chance  to  come  within  the  bounds  of  a  country  resi- 
dence. Occasionally,  they  may  be  diverted  from  their 
original  beds  when  they  run  through  distant  and  unfre- 
quented parts  of  the  demesne,  and  brought  through  nearer 
portions  of  the  pleasure  grounds  or  lawn.  This,  however, 
can  only  be  done  with  propriety  when  there  is  a  natural 
indication  in  the  grounds  through  which  it  is  proposed  to 
divert  it — as  a  succession  of  hollows,  etc.,  to  form  the 
future  channel.  Sometimes,  a  brisk  little  brook  can  be 
divided  into  smaller  ones  for  some  distance,  again  uniting 
at  a  point  below,  creating  additional  diversity  by  its  vary- 
ing form.* 

Brooks,  rivulets,  and  even  rills  may  frequently  be  greatly 
improved  by  altering  the  form  of  their  beds  in  various 
places.  Often  by  merely  removing  a  few  trifling  obstruc- 
tions, loose  stones,  branches,  etc.,  or  hollowing  away  the 

*  The  Abbe  Delille  has  given  us  a  fine  image  of  a  brook  thus  divided,  ic 
the  following  lines : — 

"  Plus  loin,  il  se  separe  en  deux  raisseaux  agiles, 
Qui,  se  suivant  l'un  l'autre  avec  rapidite, 
Disputent  do  vites?e  et  de  limpidite  ; 
Puis,  rejoignant  tous  deux  le  lit  qui  les  rassemble, 
Murmurent  enchantes  de  voyager  ensemble. 
Ainsi,  toujours  errant  de  detour  en  detour, 
Muet,  bruyant,  paisible,  inquiet  tour  a  tour, 
Sous  mille  aspects  divers  son  cours  se  renouvelle." 


814 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


adjoining  bank  for  a  short  distance,  fine  little  expanses  or 
pools  of  still  water  may  be  formed,  which  are  happily  "0Ti- 
trasted  with  the  more  rugged  course  of  the  rest  of  :1c 
stream.  Such  improvements  of  these  minor  water  courses 
are  much  preferable  to  widening  them  into  flat,  insipid, 
tame  canals  or  rivers,  which,  though  they  present  greater 
surface  to  the  eye,  are  a  thousand  times  inferior  in  the 
impetuosity  of  motion,  and  musical,  "  babbling  sound,"  so 
delightful  in  rapid  brooks  and  rivulets.* 

Cascades  and  water-falls  are  the  most  charming  features 
of  natural  brooks  and  rivulets.  Whatever  may  be  their 
size  they  are  always  greatly  admired,  and  in  no  way  is  the 
peculiar  stillness  of  the  air,  peculiar  to  the  country,  more 
pleasingly  broken,  than  by  the  melody  of  falling  water. 
Even  the  gurgling  and  mellow  sound  of  a  small  rill,  leaping 
over  a  few  fantastic  stones,  has  a  kind  of  lulling  fascination 
for  the  ear,  and  when  this  sound  can  be  brought  so  near  as 
to  be  distinctly  heard  at  the  residence  itself,  it  is  peculiarly 
delightful. f  Now  any  one  who  examines  a  small  cascade 
at  all  attentively,  in  a  natural  brook,  will  see  that  it  is  often 
formed  in  the  simplest  manner  by  the  interposition  of  a  few 
large  projecting  stones,  which  partially  dam  up  the  current 
and  prevent  the  ready  flow  of  the  water.  Such  little  cas- 
cades are  easily  imitated,  by  following  exactly  the  same 

*  The  most  successful  improvement  of  a  natural  brook  that  we  have  evei 
witnessed,  has  been  effected  in  the  grounds  of  Henry  Sheldon,  Esq.,  of  Tarry- 
town,  N.  Y.  The  great  variety  and  beauty  displayed  in  about  a  fourth  of  a 
mile  of  the  course  of  this  stream,  its  pretty  cascades,  rustic  bridges,  rockworkj 
etc.,  reflect  the  highest  credit  on  the  taste  of  that  gentleman. 

t  The  fine  stream  which  forms  the  south  boundary  of  Blithewood,  on  the 
Hudson,  the  seat  of  R.  Donaldson,  Esq.,  affords  two  of  the  finest  natural  cata- 
racts that  we  have  seen  in  the  grounds  of  any  private  residence.  Fig.  41  is  a 
view  of  the  larger  cascade  which  falls  about  GO  feet  over  a  bold,  rocky  bed. 


TREATMENT   OF  WATER. 


315 


course,  and  damming  up  the  little  brook  artificially  ;  stu- 
diously avoiding,  however,  any  formal  and  artificial  dis- 
position of  the  stones  or  rocks  employed. 

Larger  water-falls  and  cascades  cannot  usually  be  made 
without  some  regular  head  or  breastwork,  to  oppose  more 
firmly  the  force  of  the  current.  Such  heads  may  be  formed 
of  stout  plank  and  well  prepared  clay  ;*  or,  which  is  greatly 
preferable,  of  good  masonry  laid  in  water  cement.  After 
a  head  is  thus  formed  it  must  be  concealed  entirely  from 
the  eye  by  covering  it  both  upon  the  top  and  sides  with 
natural  rocks  and  stones  of  various  sizes,  so  ingeniously 
disposed,  as  to  appear  fully  to  account  for,  or  be  the  cause 
of  the  water-fall. 

The  axe  of  the  original  backwoodsman  appears  to  have 
left  such  a  mania  for  clearing  behind  it,  even  in  those 
portions  of  the  Atlantic  states  where  such  labor  should  be 
for  ever  silenced,  that  some  of  our  finest  places  in  the 
country  will  be  found  much  desecrated  and  mutilated  by 
its  careless  and  unpardonable  use  ;  and  not  only  are  fine 
plantations  often  destroyed,  but  the  banks  of  some  of  our 
finest  streams  and  prettiest  rivulets  partially  laid  bare  by 
the  aid  of  this  instrument,  guided  by  some  tasteless  hand. 
Wherever  fine  brooks  or  water  courses  are  thus  mutilated, 
one  of  the  most  necessary  and  obvious  improvements  is  to 
reclothe  them  with  plantations  of  trees  and  underwood. 
In  planting  their  banks  anew,  much  beauty  and  variety 
can  often  be  produced  by  employing  different  growths, 
and  arranging  them  as  we  have  directed  for  the  margins 

*  It  is  found  that  strong  loam  or  any  tenacious  earth  well  prepared  by 
puddling  or  beating  in  water  is  equally  impervious  to  water  as  clay  ;  and  may 
therefore  be  used  for  lining  the  sides  or  dams  of  bodies  of  made  water  wheii 
such  materials  are  required. 


316 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


of  lakes  and  ponds.  In  some  places  where  easy,  beautifu/ 
slopes  and  undulations  of  ground  border  the  streams, 
gravel,  soft  turf,  and  a  few  simple  groups  of  trees,  will  be 
the  most  natural  accompaniments  ;  in  others  where  the 
borders  of  the  stream  are  broken  into  rougher,  more 
rocky,  and  precipitous  ridges,  all  the  rich  wildness  and 
intricacy  of  low  shrubs,  ferns,  creeping  and  climbing 
plants,  may  be  brought  in  to  advantage.  Where  the 
extent  to  be  thus  improved  is  considerable,  the  trouble 
may  be  lessened  by  planting  the  larger  growth,  and  sowing 
the  seeds  of  the  smaller  plants  mingled  together.  Prepare 
the  materials,  and  time  and  nature,  with  but  little  occa- 
sional assistance,  will  mature,  and  soften,  and  blend 
together  the  whole,  in  their  own  matchless  and  inimitable 
manner. 

From  all  that  we  have  suggested  in  these  limited 
remarks,  it  will  be  seen  that  we  would  only  attempt  in  our 
operations  with  water,  the  graceful  or  picturesque  imitations 
of  natural  lakes  or  ponds,  and  brooks,  rivulets,  and  streams. 
Such  are  the  only  forms  in  which  this  unrivalled  element 
can  be  displayed  so  as  to  harmonize  agreeably  with  natural 
and  picturesque  scenery.  In  the  latter,  there  can  be  no 
apology  made  for  the  introduction  of  straight  canals, 
round  or  oblong  pieces  of  water,  and  all  the  regular  forms 
of  the  geometric  mode ;  because  they  wrould  evidently  be 
in  violent  opposition  to  the  whole  character  and  expres- 
sion of  natural  landscape.  In  architectural,  or  flow^er 
gardens  (on  which  we  shall  hereafter  have  occasion  to 
offer  some  remarks),  where  a  different  and  highly  artificial 
arrangement  prevails,  all  these  regular  forms,  with  various 
jets,  fountains,  etc.,  may  be  employed  with  good  taste, 
and  wil1  combine  well  with  the  other  accessories  of  such 


TREATMENT   OF  WATER. 


317 


places.  But  in  the  grounds  of  a  residence  in  the  modern 
style,  nature,  if  possible,  still  more  purified,  as  in  the  great 
chefs-d'asuvre  of  art,  by  an  ideal  standard,  should  be  the 
great  aim  of  the  Landscape  Gardener.  And  with  watei 
especially,  only  beautiful  when  allowed  to  take  its  own 
flowing  forms  and  graceful  motions,  more  than  with  any 
other  of  our  materials,  all  appearance  of  constraint  and 
formality  should  be  avoided.  If  art  be  at  all  manifest,  it 
should  discover  itself  only,  as  in  the  admirably  painted 
landscape,  in  the  reproduction  of  nature  in  her  choicest 
developments.  Indeed,  many  of  the  most  celebrated 
authors  who  have  treated  of  this  subject,  appear  to  agree 
that  the  productions  of  the  artist  in  this  branch  are  most 
perfect  as  they  approach  most  nearly  to  fac-similes  of 
nature  herself :  and  though  art  should  have  formed  the 
whole,  its  employment  must  be  nowhere  discovered  by  the 
spectator  ;  or  as  Tasso  has  more  elegantly  expressed  the 
idea : 

*  l'aRTE   CHE  TUTTO   FA,   NULLA  SI  SCOPRE." 


318  LANDSCAPE  GARDENING 


SECTION  IX. 

LANDSCAPE   OR   RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 

Difference  between  a  city  and  a  country  house.  The  characteristic  features  of  a  country 
house.  Examination  of  the  leading  principles  in  Rural  Architecture.  The  different 
styles.  The  Grecian  style,  its  merits  and  defects,  and  its  associations.  The  Roman  and 
Italian  styles.  The  Pointed  or  Gothic  style.  The  Tudor  Mansion.  The  English 
Cottage,  or  Rural  Gothic  style.  These  styles  considered  in  relation  t<*  situation  <n 
scenery.   Individual  tastes.    Entrance  Lodges. 

"  A  house  amid  the  quiet  country's  shades, 
With  length'ning  vistas,  ever  sunny  glades  ; 
Beauty  and  fragrance  clustering  o'er  the  wall, 
A  porch  inviting,  and  an  ample  hall." 

RCHITECTUR  E  , 

either  practically  considered 
or  viewed  as  an  art  of  taste., 
is  a  subject  so  important  and 
comprehensive  in  itself,  that 
volumes  would  be  requisite 
to  do  it  justice.  Buildings  of  every  description,  from  the 
humble  cottage  to  the  lofty  temple,  are  objects  of  such 
constant  recurrence  in  every  habitable  part  of  the  globe, 
and  are  so  strikingly  indicative  of  the  intelligence, 
character,  and  taste  of  the  inhabitants,  that  they  possess 
in  themselves  a  great  and  peculiar  interest  for  the  mind. 
To  have  a  "  local  habitation," — a  permanent  dwelling, 
that  we  can  give  the  impress  of  our  own  mind,  and 
identify  with  our  own  existence, — appears  to  be  the 
ardent  wish,  sooner  or  later  felt,  of  every  man  :  excepting 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


319 


only  those  wandering  sons  of  Ishmael,  who  pitch  their 
tents  with  the  same  indifference,  and  as  little  desire  to 
remain  fixed,  in  the  flowery  plains  of  Persia,  as  in  the 
sandv  deserts  of  Zahara  or  Arabia. 

In  a  city  or  town,  or  in  its  immediate  vicinity,  where 
space  is  limited,  where  buildings  stand  crowded  together, 
and  depend  for  their  attractions  entirely  upon  the  style 
and  manner  of  their  construction,  mere  architectural 
effect,  after  convenience  and  fitness  are  consulted,  is  of 
course  the  only  point  to  be  kept  in  view.  There,  the 
facade,  which  meets  the  eye  of  the  spectator  from  the 
public  street,  is  enriched  and  made  attractive  by  the 
display  of  architectural  style  and  decoration,  commen- 
surate to  the  magnitude  or  importance  of  the  edifice  ;  and 
the  whole,  so  far  as  the  effect  of  the  building  is  concerned, 
comes  directly  within  the  province  of  the  architect  alone. 

With  respect  to  this  class  of  dwellings  we  have  little 
complaint  to  make,  for  many  of  our  town  residences  are 
highly  elegant  and  beautiful.  But  how  shall  we  designate 
that  singular  perversity  of  taste,  or  rather  that  total  want 
of  it,  which  prompts  the  man,  who,  under  the  name  of  » 
villa  residence,  piles  up  in  the  free  open  country,  amid  the 
green  fields,  and  beside  the  wanton  gracefulness  of  luxuriant 
nature,  a  stiff  modern  "  three  story  brick,"  which,  like  a 
well  bred  cockney  with  a  true  horror  of  the  country, 
doggedly  seems  to  refuse  to  enter  into  harmonious  com- 
bination with  any  other  object  in  the  scene,  but  only 
serves  to  call  up  the  exclamation, 

Avaunt,  stiff  pile !  why  didst  thou  stray 
From  blocks  congenial  in  Broadway ! 

Yet  almost  daily  we  see  built  up  in  the  country  huge 


320 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


combinations  of  boards  and  shingles,  without  the  least 
attempt  at  adaptation  to  situation  ;  and  square  masses 
of  brick  start  up  here  and  there,  in  the  verdant  slopes 
of  our  village  suburbs,  appearing  as  if  they  had  been 
transplanted,  by  some  unlucky  incantation,  from  the  close- 
packed  neighborhood  of  city  residence,  and  left  acciden- 
tally in  the  country,  or,  as  Sir  Walter  Scott  has  re- 
marked, "  had  strayed  out  to  the  country  for  an  airing." 

What  then  are  the  proper  characteristics  of  a  rural 
residence  ?  The  answer  to  this,  in  a  few  words,  is,  such 
a  dwelling,  as  from  its  various  accommodations,  not  only 
gives  ample  space  for  all  the  comforts  and  conveniences 
of  a  country  life,  but  by  its  varied  and  picturesque  form 
and  outline,  its  porches,  verandas,  etc.,  also  appears  to 
have  some  reasonable  connexion,  or  be  in  perfect  keeping, 
with  surrounding  nature.  Architectural  beauty  must  be 
considered  conjointly  with  the  beauty  of  the  landscape  or 
situation.  Buildings  of  almost  every  description,  and 
particularly  those  for  the  habitation  of  man,  will  be 
considered  by  the  mind  of  taste,  not  only  as  architectural 
objects  of  greater  or  less  merit,  but  as  component  parts 
of  the  general  scene ;  united  with  the  surrounding  lawn, 
embosomed  in  tufts  of  trees  and  shrubs,  if  properly 
designed  and  constructed,  they  will  even  serve  to  impress 
a  character  upon  the  surrounding  landscape.  Their  effect 
will  frequently  be  good  or  bad,  not  merely  as  they  are 
excellent  or  indifferent  examples  of  a  certain  style  of 
building,  but  as  they  are  happily  or  unhappily  combined 
with  the  adjacent  scenery.  The  intelligent  observer  will 
readily  appreciate  the  truth  of  this,  and  acknowledge  the 
value,  as  well  as  necessity,  of  something  besides  archi- 
tectural knowledge.    And  he  will  perceive  how  much 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


321 


more  likely  to  be  successful  are  the  efforts  of  him,  who,  in 
composing  and  constructing  a  rural  residence,  calls  in  tc 
the  aid  of  architecture,  the  genius  of  the  landscape  ; — 
whose  mind  is  imbued  with  a  taste  for  beautiful  scenery, 
and  who  so  elegantly  and  ingeniously  engrafts  art  upon 
nature,  as  to  heighten  her  beauties ;  while  by  the 
harmonious  union  he  throws  a  borrowed  charm  around 
his  own  creation. 

The  English,  above  all  other  people,  are  celebrated  for 
their  skill  in  what  we  consider  rural  adaptation.  Their 
residences  seem  to  be  a  part  of  the  scenes  where  they  are 
situated ;  for  their  exquisite  taste  and  nice  perception  of 
the  beauties  of  Landscape  Gardening  and  rural  scenery, 
lead  them  to  erect  those  picturesque  edifices,  which,  by 
their  varied  outlines,  seem  in  exquisite  keeping  with 
nature ;  while  by  the  numberless  climbing  plants,  shrubs, 
and  fine  ornamental  trees  with  which  they  surround  them, 
they  form  beautiful  pictures  of  rural  beauty.  Even  the 
various  offices  connected  with  the  dwelling,  partially 
concealed  by  groups  of  foliage,  and  contributing  to  the 
expression  of  domestic  comfort,  while  they  extend  out, 
and  give  importance  to  the  main  edifice,  also  serve  to 
connect  it,  in  a  less  abrupt  manner,  with  the  grounds. 

The  leading  principles  which  should  be  our  guide  in 
Landscape  or  Rural  Architecture,  have  been  condensed 
by  an  able  writer  in  the  following  heads.  "  1st,  As  a 
useful  art,  in  fitness  for  the  end  in  view  :  2d,  as  an 
art  of  design  in  expression  of  purpose  :  3d,  as  an  art 
of  ta«te,  in  expression  of  some  particular  architec- 
tural style." 

The  most  enduring  and  permanent  source  of  satisfaction 

in  house-?  is,  undoubtedly,  utility.    In  a  country  residence, 

21 


L  A  N  DSC  A  l'H   G  A  R  I)  G  N  I N  G . 


therefore,  of  whatever  character,  the  comfort  and  con- 
venience of  the  various  members  of  the  family  being  the 
first  and  most  important  consideration,  the  quality  of 
fitness  is  universally  appreciated  and  placed  in  the  first 
rank.  In  many  of  those  articles  of  furniture  or  apparel 
which  luxury  or  fashion  has  brought  into  use,  fitness  or 
convenience  often  gives  way  to  beauty  of  form  or  texture  : 
but  in  a  habitation  intended  to  shelter  us  from  the  heat 
and  cold,  as  well  as  to  give  us  an  opportunity  to  dispense 
the  elegant  hospitalities  of  refined  life — the  neglect  of  the 
various  indispensable  conveniences  and  comforts  which 
an  advanced  state  of  civilization  requires,  would  be  but 
poorly  compensated  for  by  a  fanciful  exterior  or  a  highly 
ornate  style  of  building.  Further  than  this,  fitness  will 
extend  to  the  choice  of  situation  ;  selecting  a  sheltered 
site,  neither  too  high,  as  upon  the  exposed  summit  of  bleak 
hills,  nor  too  low,  as  in  the  lowest  bottoms  of  damp 
valleys  ;  but  preferring  those  middle  grounds  which,  while 
they  afford  a  free  circulation  of  air,  and  a  fine  prospect, 
are  not  detrimental  to  the  health  or  enjoyment  of  the 
occupants.  A  proper  exposure  is  another  subject,  worthy 
of  the  attention  of  either  the  architect  or  proprietor,  as 
there  are  stormy  and  pleasant  aspects  or  exposures  in  all 
climates. 

However  much  the  principle  of  fitness  may  be  appre- 
ciated and  acted  upon  in  the  United  Sftites,  we  have 
certainly  great  need  of  apology  for  the  flagrant  and  almost 
constant  violation  of  the  second  principle,  viz.  the  expres- 
sion of  purpose.  By  the  expression  of  purpose  in 
buildings,  is  meant  that  architectural  character,  cr 
ensemble,  which  distinctly  points  out  the  particular  use  or 
destination   for  which    the   edifice    is  intended.      In  a 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


dwelling-house,  the  expression  of  purpose  is  conveyed  by 
the  chimney-tops,  the  porch  or  veranda,  and  those 
various  appendages  indicative  of  domestic  enjoyment, 
which  are  needless,  and  therefore  misplaced,  in  a  public 
building.  In  a  church,  the  spire  or  the  dome,  when 
present,  at  once  stamps  the  building  with  the  expression 
of  purpose  ;  and  the  few  openings  and  plain  exterior,  with 
the  absence  of  chimneys,  are  the  suitable  and  easily 
recognised  characteristics  of  the  barn.  Were  any  one  to 
commit  so  violent  an  outrage  upon  the  principle  of  the 
expression  of  purpose  as  to  surmount  his  barns  with  the 
tall  church  spire,  our  feelings  would  at  once  cry  out 
against  the  want  of  propriety.  Yet  how  often  do  we 
meet  in  the  northern  states,  with  stables  built  after  the 
models  of  Greek  temples,  and  barns  with  elegant  Venetian 
shutters — to  sav  nothing  of  mansions  with  none  but 
concealer  cl  iime)  tops,  and  without  perches  or  append- 
ages of  an)  Kind,  to  give  the  least  hint  to  the  mind  of  the 
doubting  spectator,  whether  the  edifice  is  a  chapel,  a  bank, 
a  hospital,  or  the  private  dwelling  of  a  man  of  wealth  and 
opulence ! 

"  The  expression  of  tne  purpose  for  which  every 
building  is  erected,"  says  the  writer  before  quoted,  "  is 
the  first  and  most  essential  beauty,  and  should  be  obvious 
from  its  architecture,  although  independent  of  any 
particular  style  ;  in  the  same  manner  as  the  reasons  for 
things  are  altogether  independent  of  the  language  in 
which  they  are  conveyed.  As  in  literary  composition,  no 
beauty  of  language  can  ever  compensate  for  poverty  of 
sense,  so  in  architectural  composition,  no  beauty  of  style 
can  ever  compensate  for  want  of  expression  of  purpose/' 
Applying  this  excellent  principle  to  our  own  country 


"324 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


houses  and  their  offices  or  out-buildings,  we  think  every 
reasonable  person  will,  at  the  first  glance,  see  how 
lamentably  deficient  are  many  of  the  productions  of  our 
architects  and  builders,  in  one  of  the  leading  principles  of 
the  art.  The  most  common  form  for  an  American  countn 
villa  is  the  pseudo-Greek  Temple  ;  that  is,  a  rectangular 
oblong  building,  with  the  chimney-tops  concealed,  if 
possible,  and  instead  of  a  pretty  and  comfortable  porch, 
veranda,  or  piazza,  four,  six,  or  eight  lofty  wooden 
columns  are  seen  supporting  a  portico,  so  high  as  neither 
to  afford  an  agreeable  promenade,  nor  a  sufficient  shelter 
from  the  sun  and  rain. 

There  are  two  features,  which  it  is  now  generally 
admitted  contribute  strongly  to  the  expression  of  purpose 
in  a  dwelling-house,  and  especially  in  a  country  residence. 
These  are  the  chimney-tops  and  the  entrance  porch. 
Chimney-tops,  with  us,  are  generally  square  masses  of 
brick,  rising  above  the  roof,  and  presenting  certainly  no 
very  elegant  appearance,  which  may  perhaps  serve  as  the 
apology  of  those  who  studiously  conceal  them.  But  in  a 
climate  where  fires  are  requisite  during  a  large  portion  ol 
the  year,  chimney-tops  are  expressive  of  a  certain  comfort 
resulting  from  the  use  of  them,  which  characterizes  a 
building  intended  for  a  dwelling  in  that  climate.  Chimney- 
tops  being  never,  or  rarely,  placed  on  those  buildings 
intended  for  the  inferior  animals,  are  also  undoubtedly 
strongly  indicative  of  human  habitations.  Instead,  there- 
fore, of  hiding  or  concealing  them,  they  should  be  in  all 
dwellings  not  only  boldly  avowed,  but  rendered  ornamental; 
fur  whatever  is  a  characteristic  and  necessary  feature, 
should  undoubtedly,  if  possible,  be  rendered  elegant,  or  at 
least  prevented  from  being  ugly. 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


325 


Much  of  the  picturesque  effect  of  the  olu  English  and 
Italian  houses,  undoubtedly  arises  from  the  handsome  and 
curious  stacks  of  chimneys  which  spring  out  of  their  roofs. 
These,  while  they  break  and  diversify  the  sky  outline  of  the 
building,  enrich  and  give  variety  to  its  most  bare  and 
unomamented  part.  Examples  are  not  wanting,  in  all  the 
different  styles  of  architecture,  of  handsome  and  character 
is'.iO  chimneys,  which  may  be  adopted  in  any  of  our 
dwellings  of  a  similar  style.  The  Gothic,  or  old  English 
chimney,  with  octagonal  or  cylindrical  flues  or  shafts  united 
In  clusters,  is  made  in  a  great. variety  of  forms,  either  of 
bricks  01  artificial  stone.  The  former  materials,  moulded 
in  the  required  shape,  are  highly  taxed  in  England,  while 
they  may  be  very  cheaply  made  here. 

A  Porch  strengthens  or  conveys  expression  of  purpose, 
because,  instead  of  leaving  the  entrance  door  bare,  as  in 
manufactories  and  buildings  of  an  inferior  description,  it 
serves  both  as  a  note  of  preparation,  and  an  effectual 
shelter  and  protection  to  the  entrance.  Besides  this,  it 
gives  a  dignity  and  importance  to  that  entrance,  pointing 
it  out  to  the  stranger  as  the  place  of  approach.  A  fine 
country  house,  without  a  porch  or  covered  shelter  to  the 
doorway  of  some  description,  is  therefore  as  incomplete, 
to  the  correct  eye,  as  a  well  printed  book  without  a  title 
page,  leaving  the  stranger  to  plunge  at  once  in  medias  res, 
without  the  friendly  preparation  of  a  single  word  of  intro- 
duction. Porches  are  susceptible  of  every  variety  of  form 
tind  decoration,  from  the  embattled  and  buttressed  portal 
of  the  Gothic  castle,  to  the  latticed  arbor  porch  of  the 
cottage,  around  which  the  festoons  of  luxuriant  climbing 
plants  cluster,  giving  an  effect  net  less  beautiful  than  tho 
richly  carved  capitals  of  the  classic  portico. 


I  A  N  DSC  A  V  E   (i  A  It  D  ] 3  M  X  G . 


In  this  country  no  architectural  feature  is  more  plainly 
expressive  of  purpose  in  our  dwelling-houses  than  the 
veranda,  or  piazza.  The  unclouded  splendor  and  f'.eree 
heat  of  our  summer  sun,  render  this  very  general  appendage 
a  source  of  real  comfort  and  enjoyment  ;  and  the  long 
veranda  round  many  of  our  country  residences  siatid? 
instead  of  the  paved  terraces  of  the  English  mansion*  as 
the  place  for  promenade  ;  while  during  the  warmer- portions 
of  the  season,  half  of  the  days  or  evenings  are  there  passed 
in  the  enjoyment  of  the  cool  breezes,  secure  under  low 
roofs  supported  by  the  open  colonnade,  from  the  solar  rays, 
or  the  dews  of  night.  The  obvious  utility  of  the  veranda 
in  this  climate  (especially  in  the  middle  and  southern  states) 
will,  therefore,  excuse  its  adoption  into  any  style  of  archi- 
tecture that  may  be  selected  for  our  domestic  uses,  although 
abroad,  buildings  in  the  style  in  question,  as  the  Gothic,  for 
example,  are  not  usually  accompanied  by  such  an  append- 
age. An  artist  of  the  least  taste  or  invention  will  easily 
compose  an  addition  of  this  kind,  that  will  be  in  good 
keeping  with  the  rest  of  the  edifice. 

These  various  features,  or  parts  of  the  building,  with 
many  others  which  convey  expression  of  purpose  in 
domestic  architecture,  because  they  recall  to  the  mind  the 
different  uses  to  which  they  are  applied,  and  the  several 
enjoyments  connected  with  them,  also  contribute  greatly 
to  the  interest  of  the  building  itself,  and  heighten  its  good 
effect  as  part  of  a  harmonious  whole,  in  the  landscape. 
The  various  projections  and  irregularities,  caused  by 
verandas,  porticos,  etc.,  serve  to  connect  the  otherwise 
square  masses  of  building,  by  gradual  transition  with  the 
ground  about  it. 

The  reader,  who  thus  recognizes  features  as  expressive 


RURAL  ARCfUTESTURE. 


327 


of  purpose  in  a  dwelling  intended  for  the  habitation  of  man, 
\^  ihink,  can  be  at  no  great  loss  to  understand  what  would 
be  characteristic  in  out-buildings  or  offices,  farm-houses-, 
lodges,  stables,  and  the  like,  which  are  necessary  structures 
on  a  villa  or  mansion  residence  of  much  size  or  importance. 
A  proper  regard  to  the  expression  of  use  or  purpose,  without 
interfering  with  the  beauty  of  style,  will  confer  at  all  times 
-mother,  viz.  the  beauty  of  truth,  without  which  no  building 
can  be  completely  satisfac-tory  ;  as  deceptions  of  this  kind 
(buildings  appearing  to  be  what  they  are  not)  always  go 
far  towards  destroying  in  the  mind  those  pleasurable  emo- 
tions felt  on  viewing  any  correct  work  of  art,  however 
simple  in  character  or  design. 

We  have  now  to  consider  rural  architecture  under  the 
guidance  of  the  third  leading  principle,  as  an  art  of  taste. 
The  expression  of  architectural  style  in  buildings  is  un- 
doubtedly a  matter  of  the  first  importance,  and  proper  care 
lieing  taken  not  to  violate  fitness  and  expression  of  purpose, 
it  may  be  considered  as  appealing  most  powerfully,  at  once, 
to  the  mind  of  almost  every  person.  Indeed,  with  many, 
it  is  the  only  species  of  beauty  which  they  perceive  in 
buildings,  and  to  it  both  convenience  and  the  expression 
of  purpose  are  often  ignorantly  sacrificed. 

A  marked  style  of  .architecture  appears  to  us  to  have 
claims  for  our  a  dmiration  or  preference  for  rural  residences, 
for  several  reasons.  As  it  is  intrinsically  beautiful  in  itself, 
as  it  interests  us  by  means  of  the  associations  connected 
with  it ;  as  it  is  fitted  to  the  wants  and  comforts  of  country 
life ;  and  as  it  is  adapted  to,  or  harmonizes  with,  the 
locality  or  scenery  where  it  is  located. 

The  harmonious  union  of  buildings  and  scenery,  is  a 
point  of  taste  that  appears  to  be  but  little  understood  iu 


328  LANDSCAPE  GARDENING 

any  country  ;  and  mainly,  we  believe,  because  the  architect 
and  the  landscape  painter  are  seldom  combined  in  the  same 
person,  or  are  seldom  consulted  together.  It  is  for  this 
reason  that  we  so  rarely  see  a  country  residence,  or  cottage 
and  its  grounds,  making  such  a  composition  as  a  landscape 
painter  would  choose  for  his  pencil.  But  it  does  not  seem 
difficult,  with  a  slight  recurrence  to  the  leading  principle 
of  unity  of  expression,  to  suggest  a  mode  of  immediately 
deciding  which  style  of  building  is  best  adapted  to  harmo- 
nize with  a  certain  kind  of  scenery. 

The  reader  is,  we  trust,  already  familiar  with  our 
division  of  landscapes  into  two  natural  classes, — the 
Beautiful  and  the  Picturesque, — and  the  two  accordant 
systems  of  improvement  in  Landscape  Gardening  which 
we  have  based  upon  these  distinct  characters.  Now,  in 
order  to  render  our  buildings  perfectly  harmonious,  we 
conceive  it  only  to  be  necessary  to  arrange  (as  we  may 
very  properly  do)  all  the  styles  of  domestic  architecture  ir, 
corresponding  divisions. 

Some  ingenious  writer  has  already  developed  this  idea, 
and,  following  a  hint  taken  from  the  two  leading  schools 
of  literature  and  art,  has  divided  all  architecture  into  the 
Classical  and  the  Romantic  schools  of  design.  The 
Classical  comprises  the  Grecian  style,  and  all  its  near  and 
direct  offspring,  as  the  Roman  and  Italian  modes ;  the 
Romantic  school,  the  Gothic  style,  with  its  numberless 
variations  of  Tudor,  Elizabethan,  Flemish,  and  old  English 
modes. 

It  is  easy  to  see,  at  a  glance,  how  well  these  divisions 
correspond  with  our  Beautiful  and  Picturesque  phases  of 
Landscape  Gardening,  so  that  indeed  we  might  call  the 
Grecian  or  Classical  style,  Beautiful,  and  the  Gothic  01 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


329 


Romantic  style,  the  Picturesque  schools  in  architecture 
In  classical  buildings,  as  in  beautiful  landscape,  we  are  led 
lo  admire  simplicity  of  forms  and  outlines,  purity  of  effect, 
and  grace  of  composition.  In  the  Romantic  or  Picturesque 
buildings,  we  are  struck  by  the  irregularity  of  forms  and 
outlines,  variety  of  effect,  and  boldness  of  composition. 
What,  therefore,  can  be  more  evident  in  seeking  tc 
produce  unity  of  effect  than  the  propriety  of  selecting 
some  variations  of  the  classical  style  for  Beautiful 
landscape,  and  some  species  of  romantic  irregular  building 
for  Picturesque  landscape  ? 

In  a  practical  point  of  view,  all  buildings  which  have 
:onsiderable  simplicity  of  outline,  a  certain  complete  and 
graceful  style  of  ornament,  and  a  polished  and  refined  kind 
of  finish,  may  be  considered  as  likely  to  harmonize  best 
with  all  landscape  where  the  expression  is  that  of  simple 
jr  graceful  beauty — where  the  lawn  or  surface  is  level  or 
gently  undulating,  the  trees  rich  and  full  in  foliage  and 
form,  and  the  general  character  of  the  scenery  peaceful 
and  beautiful.  Such  are  the  Grecian,  Roman,  Tuscan, 
and  the  chaster  Italian  styles. 

On  the  other  hand,  buildings  of  more  irregular  outline, 
in  which  appear  bolder  or  ruder  ornaments,  and  a  certain 
free  and  more  rustic  air  in  finishing,  are  those  which 
should  be  selected  to  accompany  scenery  of  a  wilder  or 
more  picturesque  character,  abounding  in  striking  varia- 
tions of  surface,  wood,  and  water.  And  these  are  the 
Castellated,  the  Tudor,  and  the  old  English  in  all  its  forms. 

There  is  still  an  intermediate  kind  of  architecture, 
original^  a  variation  of  the  classical  style,  but  which,  in 
becoming  adapted  to  different  and  more  picturesque 
situations,  has  lost  much  of  its  graceful  character,  and  has 


>>oO  LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 

become  quite  picturesque  in  its  outlines  and  effects.  Of 
this  kind  are  the  Swiss  and  the  bracketed  cottage,  and  the 
different  highly  irregular  forms  of  the  Italian  villa.  The 
more  simple  and  regular  variations  of  these  modes  of 
building,  may  be  introduced  with  good  effect  in  any  plain 
country  ;  while  the  more  irregular  and  artistical  forms  ha\c' 
the  happiest  effect  only  in  more  highly  varied  and  suitable 
localities. 

The  Egyptian,  one  of  the  oldest  architectural  styles, 
characterized  by  its  heavy  colossal  forms,  and  almost  nub- 
lime  expression,  is  supposed  to  have  had  its  origin  in  caverns 
hewn  in  the  rocks.  The  Chinese  style,  easily  known  by 
its  waving  lines,  probably  had  its  type  in  the  eastern  tent. 
The  Saracenic,  or  Moorish  style,  rich  in  fanciful  decoration, 
is  striking  and  picturesque  in  its  details,  and  is  worthy  of 
the  attention  of  the  wealthy  amateur. 

Neither  of  these  styles,  however,  is,  or  can  well  be. 
thoroughly  adapted  to  our  domestic  purposes,  as  they  are 
wanting  in  fitness,  and  have  comparatively  few  charms  of 
association  for  residents  of  this  country. 

The  only  styles  at  present  in  common  use  for  domestic 
architecture,  throughout  the  enlightened  portions  of  Europe 
and  America,  are  the  Grecian  and  Gothic  styles,  or  some 
modifications  of  these  two  distinct  kinds  of  building.  These 
modifications,  which  of  themselves  are  now  considered 
styles  by  most  authors,  are,  the  Roman  and  modern  Italian 
styles,  which  have  grown  out  of  Greek  architecture ;  the 
Castellated,  the  Tudor,  the  Elizabethan,  and  the  rura. 
Gothic  or  old  English  cottage  styles,  all  of  which  are 
variations  of  Gothic  architecture. 

Grecian  or  classic  architecture  was  exhibited  in  its 
purity  in  those  splendid  temples  of  the  golden  days  of 


RITUAL,  AUCH1TKCTURE. 


331 


Athens,  which  still  remain  in  a  sufficient  degree  of  pre- 
servation to  bear  ample  testimony  to  the  high  state  of 
architectural  art  among  the  Greeks.  Each  of  the  five 
orders  was  so  nicely  determined  by  their  profound  know- 
ledge of  the  harmony  of  forms,  and  admirably  executed, 
that  all  modern  attempts  at  improving  them  have  entirely 
failed,  for  they  are,  individually,  complete  models. 

As  it  is  admitted,  then,  that  Grecian  architecture  is 
intrinsically  beautiful  in  itself,  and  highly  interesting  in 
point  of  associations,  it  may  be  asked,  what  are  the  objec- 
tions, if  any,  to  its  common  introduction  into  domestic 
Rural  Architecture  ? 

We  have  already  avowed  that  we  consider  fitness  and 
expression  of  purpose  two  leading  principles  of  the  first 
importance  in  Rural  Architecture,  and  Grecian  architec- 
ture in  its  pure  form — viz.,  the  temple — when  applied  to 
the  purposes  of  domestic  life,  makes  a  sad  blow  at  both 
these  established  rules.  The  comforts  of  a  country  resi- 
dence are  so  various,  that  verandahs,  porches,  wings 
of  different  sizes,  and  many  other  little  accommo- 
dations expressive  of  purpose,  become  necessary,  and, 
therefore,  when  properly  arranged,  add  to  the  beauty 
accommodations  expressive  of  purpose,  become  necessary, 
and,  therefore,  when  properly  arranged,  add  to  the  beauty 
of  Rural  Architecture.  But  the  admirer  of  the  true 
Greek  models  is  obliged  to  forego  the  majority  of  these  ; 
and  to  come  within  the  prescribed  form  of  the  rectangular 
parallelogram,  his  apartments  must  be  of  a  given  size  and 
a  limited  number,  while  many  things,  both  exterior  and 
interior,  which  convenience  might  otherwise  prompt,  have 
to  bow  to  the  despotic  sway  of  the  pure  Greek  model. 
In  a  dwelling  of  moderate  dimensions  how  great  a  sacrifice 
of  room  is  made  to  enable  the  architect  to  display  the 
portico  alone ! 


33*2  LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


It  has  been  well  observed 
by  modern  critics,  that  there 
is  no  reason  to  believe  the 
temple  form  was  ever,  even 
by  the  Greeks,  used  for  pri- 
vate dwellings,  which  easik 
accounts  for  our  compara- 
25?*tive  failure  in  constructing 
[Fig.  40.  Roman  Residence.]        well   arranged,  small  resi- 
dences in  this  style. 

The  Romans,  either  unable  to  compose  in  the  simple 
elegance  and  beauty  of  the  Grecian  style,  or  feeling  its 
want  of  adaptation  to  the  multifarious  usages  of  a  more 


[Fig.  41.   View  at  Presque  Isle,  the  residence  of  Win.  Denning,  Esq.,  Dutchess  Co.,  N.Y.] 


luxurious  state  of  society,  created  for  themselves  what  is 
generally  considered  a  less  beautiful  and  perfect,  yet  which 
is  certainly  a  more  rich,  varied,  and,  if  we  may  use  the 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


333 


term,  accommodating  style.  The  Roman  style  is  dis- 
tinguished from  its  prototype  by  the  introduction  of  arched 
openings  over  the  doors  and  windows,  story  piled  over 
story, — often  with  columns  of  different  orders — instead  of 
the  simple  unbroken  line  of  the  Greek  edifices.  In 
decoration,  the  buildings  in  this  style  vary  from  plain, 
unornamented  exteriors,  to  the  most  highly  decorated 
facades  ;  and  instead  of  being  confined  to  the  few  fixed 
principles  of  the  Greek,  the  greatest  latitude  is  often 
observed  in  the  proportions,  forms,  and  decorations  of 
buildings  in  the  Roman  style.  These  very  circumstances, 
while  they  rendered  the  style  less  perfect  as  a  fine  art,  or 
for  public  edifices,  gave  it  a  pliability  or  facility  of 
adaptation,  which  fits  it  more  completely  for  domestic 
purposes.  For  this  reason,  a  great  portion  of  the  finest 
specimens  of  the  modern  domestic  architecture  of  the 
other  continent  is  to  be  found  in  the  Roman  style.*' 

The  Italian  style  is,  we  think,  decidedly  the  most 
beautiful  mode  for  domestic  purposes,  that  has  been  the 
direct  offspring  of  Grecian  art.  It  is  a  style  which  has 
evidently  grown  up  under  the  eyes  of  the  painters  of  more 
modern  Italy,  as  it  is  admirably  adapted  to  harmonize  with 
general  nature,  and  produce  a  pleasing  and  picturesque 
effect  in  fine  landscapes.  Retaining  more  or  less  of  the 
columns,  arches,  and  other  details  of  the  Roman  style,  it 
has  intrinsically  a  bold  irregularity,  and  strong  contrast  of 
light  and  shadow,  which  give  it  a  peculiarly  striking  and 
painter-like  effect. 

*  Perhaps  the  finest  faqade  of  a  private  residence,  in  America,  is  that  of  the 
''Patroon's  house,"  near  Albany,  the  ancient  seat  of  the  Van  Rensselaer 
family,  lately  remodelled  and  improved  by  that  skilful  architect,  Mr.  Upjohn, 
oi  New  Y oik. 


S34  LANDSCAPK  GARDENING. 

"  The  villa  architecture  of  modern  Italy,"  says  Mr. 
Lamb,  an  able  architect,*  "is  characterized,  when  on 
a  moderate  scale,  by  scattered  irregular  masses,  great 
contrasts  of  light  and  shade,  broken  and  plain  surfaces,  and 
great  variety  of  outline  against  the  sky.  The  blank  wall 
on  which  the  eye  sometimes  reposes  ;  the  towering  cam- 
panile, boldly  contrasted  with  the  horizontal  line  of  roof 
only  broken  by  a  few  straggling  chimney-tops  :  the  row  ol 
equal  sized,  closely  placed  windows,  contrasting  with  the 
plain  space  and  single  window  of  the  projecting  balcony; 
the  prominent  portico,  the  continued  arcade,  the  terraces, 
and  the  variously  formed  and  disposed  out-buildings,  all 
combine  to  form  that  picturesque  whole,  which  distinguishes 
the  modern  Italian  villa  from  every  other. "f 

A  building  in  the  Italian  style  may  readily  be  known  at 
first  sight,  by  the  peculiar  appearance  of  its  roofs.  These 
are  always  projecting  at  the  eaves,  and  deeply  furrowed  or 


[Fig  42.  A  Villa  in  the  Italian  style.] 

ridged,  being  formed  abroad  of  semi-cylindrical  tiles,  which 
give    a   distinct   and  highly  marked  expression  to  this 


*  Loudon's  Ency.  of  Arch.  p.  951. 

t  In  this  country,  owing  to  the  greater  number  of  fires  the  effect  wwW  be 
improved  by  an  additional  number  of*  chimney-top?. 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


335 


portion  of  the  building.*  So  many  appliances  of  comfort 
and  enjoyment  suited  to  a  warm  climate  appear,  too,  in 
the  villas  of  this  style,  that  it  has  a  peculiarly  elegant  and 
refined  appearance.  Among  these  are  arcades,  with  the 
Roman  arched  openings,  forming  sheltered  promenades  ; 
nnd  beautiful  balconies  projecting  from  single  windows,  or 
sometimes  from  connected  rows  of  windows,  which  are 
charming  places  for  a  coup  d'oeil,  or  to  enjoy  the  cool 
breeze — as  they  admit,  to  shelter  one  from  the  sun,  of  a 
fanciful  awning  shade,  which  may  be  raised  or  lowered  at 
pleasure.  The  windows  themselves  are  bold,  and  well 
marked  in  outline,  being  either  round -arched  at  the  tops, 
or  finished  with  a  heavy  architrave. 


[Fig.  43.    Residence  of  Gov.  Morehead,  North  Carolina.] 


All  these  balconies,  arcades,  etc.,  are  sources  of  real 
pleasure  in  the  hotter  portions  of  our  year,  which  are  quite 
equal  in  elevation  of  temperature  to  summers  of  the  south 
of  Europe  ;  while  by  increased  thickness  of  walls  and 

*  In  some  situations  in  this  country,  where  it  might  be  difficult  to  procure 
tiltvi  made  in  this  form,  their  effect  may  be  very  accurately  imitated  by  deeply 
ridded  zinc  or  tin  coverings.  The  bold  projection  of  the  eaves,  in  the  Italian 
etyie,  offers  great  protection  to  a  hou  e  against  storms  and  dampness. 


33G 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


closeness  of  window  fixtures,  the  houses  may  also  be  made 
of  the  most  comfortable  description  in  winter. 

The  Italian  chimney-tops,  unlike  the  Grecian,  are 
always  openly  shown  and  rendered  ornamental ;  and  as 
we  have  already  mentioned,  the  irregularity  in  the  masses 
of  the  edifice  and  shape  of  the  roof,  renders  the  sky 
outline  of  a  building  in  this  style,  extremely  picturesque. 
A  villa,  however  small,  in  the  Italian  style,  may  have  an 
elegant  and  expressive  character,  without  interfering 
with  convenient  internal  arrangements,  while  at  the  same 
time  this  style  has  the  very  great  merit  of  allowing 
additions  to  be  made  in  almost  any  direction,  without 

injuring  the  effect  of  the 
original  structure ;  indeed 
such  is  the  variety  of  sizes 
and  forms  which  the  dif- 
ferent parts  of  an  Italian 
villa  may  take,  in  perfect 
[ng.  44.  The  New  Haven  suburban  viiia.*]  accordance  with  architec- 
tural propriety,  that  the  original  edifice  frequently  gains  in 
beauty  by  additions  of  this  description.  Those  who  are 
aware  how  many  houses  are  every  year  erected  in  the 
United  States  by  persons  of  moderate  fortune,  who  would 
gladly  make  additions  at  some  subsequent  period,  could 
this  be  done  without  injuring  the  effect  or  beauty  of  the 
main  building,  will,  we  think,  acknowledge  how  much, 

*  New  Haven  abounds  with  tasteful  residences.  "  Hillhouse  Avenue,"  in 
particular,  is  remarkable  for  a  neat  display  of  Tuscan  or  Italian  Suburban 
Villas.  Moderate  in  dimension  and  economical  in  construction,  these  exceed- 
ingly neat  edifices  may  be  considered  as  models  for  this  kind  of  dwelling. 
Fig.  44,  without  being  a  precise  copy  of  any  one  of  these  buildings,  may  bo 
taken  as  a  pretty  accurate  representation  of  their  general  appearance. 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


337 


even  were  it  in  this  single  point  alone,  the  Italian  style  is 
superior  to  the  Grecian  for  rural  residences. 

Pleasing  associations  are  connected  with  Roman  and 
Italian  architecture,  especially  to  those  who  have  studied 
their  effect  in  all  the  richness  and  beauty  with  which  they 
are  invested  in  the  countries  where  they  originated  ;  and 
they  may  be  regarded  with  a  degree  of  classic  interest  by 
every  cultivated  mind.  The  modern  Italian  style  recalls 
images  of  that  land  of  painters  and  of  the  fine  arts,  where 
the  imagination,  the  fancy,  and  taste,  still  revel  in  a  world 
of  beauty  and  grace.  The  great  number  of  elegant  forms 
which  have  grown  out  of  this  long  cultivated  feeling  for 
the  beautiful  in  the  fine  arts, — in  the  shape  of  fine  vases, 
statues,  and  other  ornaments,  which  harmonize  with,  and 
are  so  well  adapted  to  enrich,  this  style  of  architecture, — 
combine  to  render  it  in  the  fine  terraced  gardens  of 
Florence  and  other  parts  of  Italy,  one  of  the  richest  and 
most  attractive  styles  in  existence.  Indeed  we  can  hardly 
imagine  a  mode  of  building,  which  in  the  hands  of  a  man 
of  wealth  and  taste,  may,  in  this  country,  be  made  pro- 
ductive of  more  beauty,  convenience,  and  luxury,  than 
the  modern  Italian  style  ;  so  well  suited  to  both  our  hot 
summers  and  cold  winters,  and  which  is  so  easily  suscep- 
tible of  enrichment  and  decoration,  while  it  is  at  the  same 
time  so  well  adapted  to  the  material  in  the  most  common 
use  at  present  in  most  parts  of  the  country, — wood. 
Vases,  and  other  beautiful  architectural  ornaments,  may 
now  be  procured  in  our  cities,  or  imported  direct  from 
the  Mediterranean,  finely  cut  in  Maltese  stone,  at  very 


22 


338 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


moderate  prices,  and  which  serve  to  decorate  both  the 
grounds  and  buildings  in  a  handsome  manner. 

From  the  Italian  style  it  is  an  easy  transition  to  the 
Swiss  mode,  a  bold  and  spirited  one,  highly  picturesque 
and  interesting  in  certain  situations.  To  build  an  exact 
copy  of  a  Swiss  cottage  in  a  smooth  cultivated  country, 
would,  both  as  regards  association  and  intrinsic  want 
of  fitness,  be  the  height  of  folly.  But  in  a  wild  and 
mountainons  region,  such  as  the  borders  of  certain  deep 
valleys  and  rocky  glens  in  the  Hudson  Highlands,  or 
rich  bits  of  the  Alleghanies,  positions  may  be  found 
where  the  Swiss  cottage  (Fig.  45),  with  its  low  and  broad 
roof,  shedding  off  the  heavy  snows,  its  ornamented 
exterior  gallery,  its  strong  and  deep  brackets,  and  its 
rough  and  rustic  exterior,  would  be  in  the  highest  degree 
appropriate. 


[Fig.  45.   The  Swiss  Cottage.] 


A  modification,  partaking  somewhat  of  the  Italian  and 
Swiss  features,  is  what  we  have  described  more  fully  in  our 
"  Cottage  Residences"  as  the  Bracketed  mode.   It  possesses 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


339 


a  good  Jeal  of  character,  is  capable  of  considerable  pic- 
turesque effect,  is  very  easily  and  cheaply  constructed  of 
wood  or  stone,  and  is  perhaps  more  entirely  adapted  to  our 


[Fig.  46.   The  Bracketed  Mode.] 


hot  summers  and  cold  winters  than  any  other  equally 
simple  mode  of  building.  We  hope  to  see  this  Bracketed 
style  becoming  every  day  more  common  in  the  United 
States,  and  especially  in  our  farm  and  country  houses, 
when  wood  is  the  material  employed  in  their  construction. 

Gothic,  or  more  properly,  pointed  architecture,  which 
sprang  up  with  the  Christian  religion,  reached  a  point  of 
great  perfection  about  the  thirteenth  century  ;  a  period 
wThen  the  most  magnificent  churches  and  cathedrals  of 
England  and  Germany  were  erected.  These  wonderful 
structures,  reared  by  an  almost  magical  skill  and  contriv- 
ance, with  their  richly  groined  roofs  of  stone  supported  in 
mid-air ;  their  beautiful  and  elaborate  tracery  and  carving 
of  plants';  flowers,  and  animate  objects  ;  their  large  windows 


340 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


through  which  streamed  a  rich  glow  of  rainbow  light ;  their 
various  buttresses  and  pinnacles,  all  contributing  to 
strengthen,  and  at  the  same  time  give  additional  beauty  to 
the  exterior ;  their  clustered  columns,  airy-like,  yet  firm ; 
and,  surmounting  the  whole,  the  tall  spire,  piled  up  to  an 
almost  fearful  height  towards  the  heavens,  are  lasting 
monuments  of  the  genius,  scientific  skill,  and  mechanical 
ingenuity  of  the  artists  of  those  times.  That  person,  who, 
from  ignorance  or  prejudice,  fully  supposes  there  is  no 
architecture  but  that  of  the  Greeks,  would  do  well  to  study 
one  of  these  unrivalled  specimens  of  human  skill.  In  so 
doing,  unless  he  closes  his  eyes  against  the  evidences  of  his 
senses,  he  cannot  but  admit  that  there  is  far  more  genius, 
and  more  mathematical  skill,  evinced  in  one  of  these 
cathedrals,  than  would  have  been  requisite  in  the  construc- 
tion of  the  most  celebrated  of  the  Greek  temples.  Though 
they  may  not  exhibit  that  simplicity  and  harmony  of  pro- 
portion which  Grecian  buildings  display,  they  abound  in 
much  higher  proofs  of  genius,  as  is  abundantly  evinced  in 
the  conception  and  execution  of  Cathedrals  so  abounding 
in  unrivalled  sublimity,  variety,  and  beauty. 

Gothic  architecture,  in  its  purity,  was  characterized 
mainly  by  the  pointed  arch.  This  novel  feature  in  archi- 
tecture, which,  probably,  in  the  hands  of  artists  of  great 
mathematical  skill,  was  suggested  by  the  inefficiency  of  the 
Roman  arch  first  used,  has  given  rise  to  all  the  superior 
boldness  and  picturesqueness  of  this  style  compared  with 
the  Grecian;  for  while  the  Greek  artist  was  obliged  to 
cover  his  narrow  openings  with  architraves,  or  solid  blocks 
of  stone,  resting  on  columns  at  short  intervals,  and  filling 
up  the  open  space,  the  Gothic  artist,  by  a  single  span  of 
his  pointed  arch,  resting  on  distant  pillars,  kept  the  whole 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


341 


area  beneath  free  and  unencumbered.  Applied,  too,  tc 
openings  for  the  admission  of  light,  which  were  deemed 
of  comparatively  little  or  no  importance  by  the  Greeks,  the 
arch  was  of  immense  value,  making  it  possible  to  pierce 
the  solid  wall  with  large  and  lofty  apertures,  that  diffused 
a  magical  brilliancy  of  light  in  the  otherwise  dim  and 
shadowy  interior. 

We  have  here  adverted  to  the  Gothic  cathedral  (as  we 
did  to  the  Greek  temple)  as  exhibiting  the  peculiar  style  in 
question  in  its  greatest  purity.  For  domestic  purposes, 
both,  for  the  same  reasons,  are  equally  unfitted  ;  as  they 
were  never  so  intended  to  be  used  by  their  original  invent- 
ors, and  being  entirely  wanting  in  fitness  for  the  purposes 
ol  habitation  in  domestic  life ;  the  Greek  temple,  as  we 
have  already  shown,  from  its  massive  porticoes  and  the 
simple  rectangular  form  of  its  interior  ;  and  the  Gothic 
cathedral,  from  its  high-pointed  windows,  and  immense 
vaulted  apartments.  It  would  scarcely,  however,  be  more 
absurd  to  build  a  miniature  cathedral,  for  a  dwelling  in  the 
Gothic  style,  than  to  make  an  exact  copy  of  the  Temple  of 
Minerva  30  by  50  feet  in  size,  for  a  country  residence,  as 
we  often  witness  in  this  country. 

The  Gothic  Style,  as  applied  to  Domestic  Architecture, 
has  been  varied  and  adapted  in  a  great  diversity  of  ways, 
to  the  wants  of  society  in  different  periods,  from  the  12th 
century  to  the  present  time.  The  baronial  castle  of  feudal 
days,  perched  upon  its  solitary,  almost  inaccessible  height, 
and  built  strongly  for  defence  ;  the  Collegiate  or  monastic 
abbey  of  the  monks,  suited  to  the  rich  fertile  plains  which 
these  jolly  ascetics  so  well  knew  how  to  select ;  the  Tudor 
or  Elizabethan  mansion,  of  the  English  gentleman,  sur- 
rounded by  its  beautiful  park,  filled  with  old  ancestral  trees  ; 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


and  the  pretty,  rural,  gabled  cottage,  of  more  humble  pre- 
tensions ;  are  all  varieties  of  this  multiform  style,  easily 
adapting  itself  to  the  comforts  and  conveniences  of  private 
life. 

Contrasted  with  Classic  Architecture  and  its  varieties, 
in  which  horizontal  lines  are  most  prevalent,  all  the  differ- 
ent Gothic  modes  or  styles  exhibit  a  preponderance  of 
vertical  or  perpendicular  lines.  In  the  purer  Gothic 
Architecture,  the  style  is  often  determined  by  the  form  of 
the  arch  predominant  in  the  window  and  door  openings, 
which  in  all  edifices  (except  Norman  buildings)  were  lancet- 
shaped,  or  high  pointed,  in  the  13th  century  ;  four  centred 
or  low  arched,  in  the  times  of  Henry  VII.  and  VIII. ;  ana 
finally  square-headed,  as  in  most  domestic  buildings  of 
later  date. 

Castellated  Gothic  is  easily  known,  at  first  sight,  by  the 
line  of  battlements  cut  out  of  the  solid  parapet  wall,  which 
surmounts  the  outline  of  the  building  in  every  part.  These 
generally  conceal  the  roof,  which  is  low,  and  were  origin- 
ally intended  as  a  shelter  to  those  engaged  in  defending  the 

building  against  assaults. 
Modern  buildings  in  the 
castellated  style,  without 
sacrificing  almost  every- 
thing to  strength,  as  was 


[Fig.  47.   The  Castellated  Mode. J 


the  ancient  castle,  while 
they  combine  with  it  almost  every  modern  luxury.  In 
their  exteriors,  we  perceive  strong  and  massive  octagonal 
or  circular  towers,  rising  boldly,  with  corbelled  or  project- 
ing cornices,  above  the  ordinary  level  of  the  building.  The 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


343 


windows  are  either  pointed  or  square-headed,  or  perhaps  a 
mixture  of  both.  The  porch  rises  into  a  turreted  and 
embattled  gateway,  and  all  the  offices  and  out-buildings 
connected  with  the  main  edifice,  are  constructed  in  a  style 
corresponding  to  that  exhibited  in  the  main  body  of  the 
building.  The  whole  is  placed  on  a  distinct  and  firm 
terrace  of  stone,  and  the  expression  of  the  edifice  is  that 
of  strength  and  security. 

This  mode  of  building  is  evidently  of  too  ambitious  and 
expensive  a  kind  for  a  republic,  where  landed  estates  are 
not  secured  by  entail,  but  divided,  according  to  the  dictates 
of  nature,  among  the  different  members  of  a  family.  It  is, 
perhaps,  also  rather  wanting  in  appropriateness,  castles 
never  having  been  used  for  defence  in  this  country. 
Notwithstanding  these  objections,  there  is  no  very  weighty 
reason  why  a  wealthy  proprietor  should  not  erect  his 
mansion  in  the  castellated  style,  if  that  style  be  in  unison 
with  his  scenery  and  locality.  Few  instances,  however, 
of  sufficient  wealth  and  taste  to  produce  edifices  of  this 
kind,  are  to  be  met  with  among  us ;  and  the  castellated 
style  is  therefore  one  which  we  cannot  fully  recommend 
for  adoption  here.  Paltry  imitations  of  it,  in  materials  less 
durable  than  brick  or  stone,  would  be  discreditable  to  any 
person  having  the  least  pretension  to  correct  taste. 
,  t  The  Castellated  style  never  appears  completely  at  home 
except  in  wild  and  romantic  scenery,  or  in  situations  where 
the  neighboring  mountains,  or  wild  passes,  are  sufficiently 
near  to  give  that  character  to  the  landscape.  In  such 
localities  the  Gothic  castle  affects  us  agreeably,  because  we 
know  that  baronial  castles  were  generally  built  in  similar 
spots,  and  because  the  battlements,  towers,  and  other  bold 
features,  combine  well    with  the   rugged  and  spirited 


o44 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


character  of  the  surrounding  objects.  To  place  such  a 
building  in  this  country  on  a  smooth  surface  in  the  midst 
of  fertile  plains,  would  immediately  be  felt  to  be  bad  taste 
by  every  one,  as  from  the  style  not  having  been  before  our 
eyes  from  childhood,  as  it  is  in  Europe,  we  immediately 
refer  to  its  original  purposes, — those  of  security  and 
defence. 

A  mansion  in  the  Tudor  Style  affords  the  best  example 
of  the  excellence  of  Gothic  architecture  for  domestic 
purposes.  The  roof  often  rises  boldly  here,  instead  of 
being  concealed  by  the  parapet  wall,  and  the  gables  are 
either  plain  or  ornamented  with  crockets.  The  windows 
are  divided  by  mullions,  and  are  generally  enriched  with 
tracery  in  a  style  less  florid  than  that  employed  in  churches, 
but  still  sufficiently  elegant  to  give  an  appearance  of 
decoration  to  these  parts  of  the  building.  Sometimes  the 
low,  or  Tudor  arch,  is  displayed  in  the  window-heads,  but 
most  commonly  the  square-headed  window  with  the  Gothic 
label  is  employed.  Great  latitude  is  allowed  in  this 
particular,  as  well  as  in  the  size  of  the  window,  provided 
the  general  details  of  style  are  attended  to.  Indeed,  in  the 
domestic  architecture  of  this  era,  the  windows  and  doors 
are  often  sources  of  great  architectural  beauty,  instead  of 
being  left  mere  bare  openings  filled  with  glass,  as  in  the 
Classic  styles.  Not  only  is  each  individual  window 
divided  by  mullions  into  compartments  whose  tops  are 
encircled  by  tracery ;  but  in  particular  apartments,  as  the 
dining-hall,  library,  etc.,  these  are  filled  with  richly  stained 
glass,  which  gives  a  mellow,  pleasing  light  to  the  apartment. 
Added  to  this,  the  windows,  in  the  best  Tudor  mansions, 
affect  a  great  variety  of  forms  and  sizes.  Among  these 
stand  conspicuous  the  bay  and  oriel  windows.    The  bay 


Fig.  49.—  Residence  of  the  Author,  near  Newburgli,  N.  Y 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


345 


window,  which  is  introduced  on  the  first  or  principal  floor, 
in  most  apartments  of  much  size  or  importance,  is  a 
window  of  treble  or  quadruple  the  common  size,  projecting 
from  the  main  body  of  the  room  in  a  semi-octagonal  or 
hexagonal  form,  thereby  affording  more  space  in  the 
apartment,  from  the  floor  to  the  ceiling,  as  well  as  giving 
an  abundance  of  light,  and  a  fine  prospect  in  any  favorite 
direction.  This,  while  it  has  a  grander  effect  than  several 
windows  of  moderate  size,  gives  a  variety  of  form  and 
outline  to  the  different  apartments,  that  can  never  be  so 
well  attained  when  the  windows  are  mere  openings  cut  in 
the  solid  walls.  The  oriel-window  is  very  similar  to  the 
bay-window,  but  projecting  in  a  similar  manner  from  the 
upper  story,  supported  on  corbelled  mouldings.  These 
windows  are  not  only  elegant  in  the  interior,  but  by 
standing  out  from  the  face  of  the  walls,  they  prevent  any- 
thing like  too  great  a  formality  externally,  and  bestow  a 
pleasing  variety  on  the  different  fronts  of  the  building. 

The  sky  outline  of  a  villa  in  the  Tudor  Gothic  style,  is 
highly  picturesque.  It  is  made  up  of  many  fine  features. 
The  pointed  gables,  with  their  finials,  are  among  the  most 
striking,  and  the  neat  parapet  wall,  either  covered  with  a 
moulded  coping,  or,  perhaps,  diversified  with  battlements ; 
the  latter  not  so  massive  as  in  the  castellated  style,  but 
evidently  intended  for  ornament  only.  The  roof  line  is 
often  varied  by  the  ornamented  gablet  of  a  dormer  window, 
rising  here  and  there,  and  adding  to  the  quaintness  of  the 
whole.  We  must  not  forget,  above  all,  the  highly  enriched 
chimney  shaft,  which,  in  the  English  examples,  is  made  of 
fancifully  moulded  bricks,  and  is  carried  up  in  clusters 
some  distance  above  the  roof.  How  much  more  pleasing 
for  a  dwelling  must  be  the  outline  of  such  a  building,  than 


346 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


that  of  a  simple  square  ^oof  whose  summit  is  one  unbroken 
straight  line  !* 

The  inclosed  entrance  porch,  approached  by  three  or 
four  stone  steps,  with  a  seat  or  two  for  servants  waiting,  is 
a  distinctive  mark  of  all  the  old  English  houses.  This 
projects,  in  most  cases,  from  the  main  body  of  the  edifice, 
and  opens  directly  into  the  hall.  The  latter  apartment  is 
not  merely  (as  in  most  of  our  modern  houses)  an  entry, 
narrow  and  long,  running  directly  through  the  house,  but 
has  a  peculiar  character  of  its  own,  being  rather  spacious, 
the  roof  or  ceiling  ribbed  or  groined,  and  the  floor  often 
inlaid  with  marble  tiles.  A  corresponding  and  suitable 
style  of  finish,  with  Gothic  details,  runs  through  all  the 
different  apartments,  each  of  which,  instead  of  being 
finished  and  furnished  with  the  formal  sameness  here  so 
prevalent,  displays,  according  to  its  peculiar  purposes — 
as  the  dining-room,  drawing-room,  library,  etc. — a  marked 
and  characteristic  air. 

We  have  thus  particularized  the  Tudor  mansion,  because 
we  believe  that  for  a  cold  country  like  England  or  the 
United  States,  it  has  strong  claims  upon  the  attention  of 
large  landed  proprietors,  or  those  who  wish  to  realize  in  a 
country  residence  the  greatest  amount  of  comfort  and 
enjoyment.  With  the  addition,  here,  of  a  veranda,  which 
the  cool  summers  of  England  render  needless,  we  believe 
the  Tudor  Gothic  to  be  the  most  convenient  and  com- 
fortable, and  decidedly  the  most  picturesque  and  striking 

*  Two  miles  south  of  Albany,  on  a  densely  wooded  hill,  is  the  villa  of  Joel 
Rathbonc,  Esq.,  Fig.  50,  one  of  the  most  complete  specimens  of  the  Tudor 
style  in  the  United  States.  It  was  built  from  the  designs  of  Davis,  and  is 
to  the  amateur,  a  very  instructive  example  of  this  mode  of  domestic  arcbi 
tecture. 


Fig.  53.— Ilcsidencc  of  Washington  Irving,  Esq.,  near  Tarrytown,  N.  Y. 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


347 


style,  for  country  residences  of  a  superior  class.*  The 
materials  generally  employed  in  their  construction  in 
England,  are  stone  aud  brick ;  and  of  late  years,  brick 
and  stucco  has  come  into  very  general  use. 

The  Elizabethan  Style,  that  mode  of  building  so  com- 
mon in  England  in  the  17th  century, — a  mixture  ol 
Gothic  and  Grecian  in  its  details — is  usually  considered  as 
a  barbarous  kind  of  architecture,  wanting  in  purity  of 
taste.  Be  this  as  it  may,  it  cannot  be  denied  that  in  the 
finer  specimens  of  this  style,  there  is  a  surprising  degree 
of  richness  and  picturesqueness  for  which  we  may  look  in 
vain  elsewhere.  In  short  it  seems,  in  the  best  examples, 
admirably  fitted  for  a  bowery,  thickly  foliaged  country, 
like  England,  and  for  the  great  variety  of  domestic 
enjoyments  of  its  inhabitants.  In  the  most  florid  examples 
of  this  style,  of  which  many  specimens  yet  remain,  we 
often  meet  with  every  kind  of  architectural  feature  and 
ornament,  oddly,  and  often  grotesquely  combined — pointed 
gables,  dormer-windows,  steep  and  low  roofs,  twisted 
columns,  pierced  parapets,  and  broad  windows  with  small 
lights.  Sometimes  the  effect  of  this  fantastic  combination 
is  excellent,  but  often  bad.  The  florid  Elizabethan  style 
is,  therefore,  a  very  dangerous  one  in  the  hands  of  any 
one  but  an  architect  of  profound  taste ;  but  we  think  in 
some  of  its  simpler  forms  (Fig.  52),  it  may  be  adopted  for 
country  residences  here  in  picturesque  situations  with  a 
quaint  and  happy  effect. f 

*  The  residence  of  Samuel  E.  Lyon,  Esq.,  at  White  Plains,  N.  Y.,  Fig.  51, 
is  a  very  pleasing  example  of  the  Tudor  Cottage. 

The  seat  of  Robert  Gilmor,  Esq.,  near  Baltimore,  in  the  Tudor  style,  is  a 
very  extensive  pile  of  building. 

t  A  highly  unique  residence  in  the  old  English  syle,  is  Pelham  Priory,  the 
seat  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Bolton,  near  New  Rochelle,  N.  Y.,  Fig.  53.  The 


348 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


The  English  cottage  style,  or  what  we  have  denominated 
Rural  Gothic,  contains  within  itself  all  the  most  striking 
and  peculiar  elements  of  the  beautiful  and  picturesque  in 
its  exterior,  while  it  admits  of  the  greatest  possible  variety 
of  accommodation  and  convenience  in  internal  arrange- 
ment. 

In  its  general  composition,  Rural  Gothic  really  differs 
from  the  Tudor  style  more  in  that  general  simplicity 
which  serves  to  distinguish  a  cottage  or  villa  of  moderate 
size  from  a  mansion,  than  in  any  marked  character  of  its 
own.  The  square-headed  windows  preserve  the  same 
form,  and  display  the  Gothic  label  and  mullions,  though 
the  more  expensive  finish  of  decorative  tracery  is  fre- 
quently omitted.  Diagonal  or  latticed  lights  are  also  more 
commonly  seen  in  the  cottage  style  than  in  the  mansion. 
The  general  form  and  arrangement  of  the  building,  though 
of  course  much  reduced,  is  not  unlike  that  of  the  latter 
edifice.  The  entrance  porch  is  always  preserved,  and  the 
bay-window  jutting  out  from  the  best  apartment,  gives 
variety,  and  an  agreeable  expression  of  use  and  enjoyment, 
to  almost  every  specimen  of  the  old  English  cottage. 

Perhaps  the  most  striking  feature  of  this  charming  style 
as  we  see  it  in  the  best  old  English  cottages,  is  the  pointed 
gable.    This  feature,  which  grows  out  of  the  high  roofs 

exterior  is  massive  and  picturesque,  in  the  simplest  taste  of  the  Elizabethan 
age,  and  being  built  amidst  a  fine  oak  wood,  of  the  dark  rough  stone  of  the 
neighborhood,  it  has  at  once  the  appearance  of  considerable  antiquity.  The 
interior  is  constructed  and  fitted  up  throughout  in  the  same  feeling, — with 
harmonious  wainscoting,  quaint  carving,  massive  chimney  pieces,  and  old 
furniture  and  armor.  Indeed,  we  doubt  if  there  is,  at  the  present  moment 
any  recent  private  residence,  even  in  England,  where  the  spirit  of  the  antique 
1=  more  entirely  carried  out,  and  where  one  may  more  easily  fancy  himself  in 
or.e  of  those  "  mansions  builded  curiously"  of  our  ancestors  in  the  time  of 
u  good  Queen  Bess  " 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


S49 


adopted,  not  only  appears  in  the  two  ends  of  the  main 
building,  but  terminates  every  wing  or  projection  of  almost 
any  size  that  joins  to  the  principal  body  of  the  house.  The 
gables  are  either  of  stone  or  brick,  with  a  handsome 
moulded  coping,  or  they  are  finished  with  the  widely  pro- 
jecting roof  of  wood,  and  verge  boards,  carved  in  a  fanciful 
and  highly  decorative  shape.  In  either  case,  the  point  or 
apex  is  crowned  by  a  finial,  or  ornamental  octagonal  shaft, 
rendering  the  gable  one  of  the  greatest  sources  of  interest 
in  these  dwellings.  The  projecting  roof  renders  the  walls 
always  dry. 

The  porch,  the  labelled  windows,  the  chimney  shafts, 
and  the  ornamented  gables,  being  the  essential  features  in 
the  composition  of  the  English  cottage  style,  it  is  evident 
that  this  mode  of  building  is  highly  expressive  of  purpose, 
for  country  residences  of  almost  every  description  and  size, 
from  the  humblest  peasant's  cottage,  to  the  beautiful  and 
picturesque  villa  of  the  retired  gentleman  of  fortune.  In 
the  simple  form  of  the  cottage,  the  whole  may  be  con- 
structed of  wood  very  cheaply,  and  in  the  more  elaborate 
villa  residence,  stone,  or  brick  and  cement,  may  be  preferred, 
as  being  more  permanent.  No  style  so  readily  admits  of 
enrichment  as  that  of  the  old  English  cottage  when  on  a 
considerable  scale  ;  and  by  the  addition  of  pointed  verandas, 
bay  windows,  and  dormer-windows,  by  the  introduction  of 
mullions  and  tracery  in  the  window  openings,  and  indeed, 
by  a  multitude  of  interior  and  exterior  enrichments  gene- 
rally applied  to  the  Tudor  mansions,  a  villa  in  the  rural 
Gothic  style  may  be  made  a  perfect  gem  of  a  country 
residence.  Of  all  the  styles  hitherto  enumerated,  we  con- 
sider this  one  of  the  most  suitable  for  this  country,  as, 
while  it  comes  within  the  reach  of  all  persons  of  moderate 


350 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


means,  it  unites,  as  we  before  stated,  so  much  of  conve- 
nience and  rural  beauty.* 

To  the  man  of  taste,  there  is  no  style  which  presents 
greater  attractions,  being  at  once  rich  in  picturesque 
beauty,  and  harmonious  in  connexion  with  the  surrounding 
forms  of  vegetation.  The  Grecian  villa,  with  its  simple 
forms  and  horizontal  lines,  seems  to  us  only  in  good  keeping 
when  it  is  in  a  smooth,  highly  cultivated,  peaceful  scene. 
But  the  Rural  Gothic,  the  lines  of  which  point  upwards,  in 
the  pyramidal  gables,  tall  clusters  of  chimneys,  finials,  and 
the  several  other  portions  of  its  varied  outline,  harmonizes 
easily  with  the  tall  trees,  the  tapering  masses  of  foliage,  or 
the  surrounding  hills  ;  and  while  it  is  seldom  or  never 
misplaced  in  spirited  rural  scenery,  it  gives  character  and 
picturesque  expression  to  many  landscapes  entirely  devoid 
of  that  quality. 

What  we  have  already  said  in  speaking  of  the  Italian 
style,  respecting  the  facility  with  which  additions  may  be 
made  to  irregular  houses,  applies  with  equal,  or  even 
greater  force,  to  the  varieties  of  the  Gothic  style,  just 
described.  From  the  very  fact  that  the  highest  beauty  of 
these  modes  of  building  arises  from  their  irregularity 
(opposed  to  Grecian  architecture,  which,  in  its  chaste 
simplicity,  should  be  regular),  it  is  evident  that  additions 

*  The  only  objection  that  can  be  urged  against  this  mode  of  building,  is  that 
which  applies  to  all  cottages  with  a  low  second  story,  viz.  want  of  coolness  in 
the  sleeping  chambers  during  mid-summer.  An  evil  which  may  be  remedied 
by  constructing  a  false  inner-roof — leaving  a  vacuity  between  the  two  roofs  of 
six  or  eight  inches,  which  being  occupied  with  air  and  ventilated  at  the  top,  will 
almost  entirely  obviate  the  objection. 

In  our  Cottage  Residences,  Design  II.,  we  have  shown  how  the  comfort  of 
a  full  second  story,  suitable  for  this  climate,  may  be  combined  with  the  expres- 
sion of  the  English  cottage  style. 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


351 


judiciously  made  will  tend  to  increase  this  beauty,  or  afford 
more  facility  for  its  display ;  while  it  is  equally  evident 
that  in  the  interior  arrangement,  including  apartments  of 
every  description,  superior  opportunities  are  afforded  for 
attaining  internal  comfort  and  convenience,  as  well  as 
external  effect. 

The  ideas  connected  in  our  minds  with  Gothic 
architecture  are  of  a  highly  romantic  and  poetical  nature 
contrasted  with  the  classical  associations  which  the 
Greek  and  Roman  styles  suggest.  Although  our  own 
country  is  nearly  destitute  of  ruins  and  ancient  time- 
worn  edifices,  yet  the  literature  of  Europe,  and  particularly 
of  what  we  term  the  mother  country,  is  so  much  our  own,  ;% 
that  we  form  a  kind  of  delightful  ideal  acquaintance  with 
the  venerable  castles,  abbeys,  and  strongholds  of  the 
middle  ages.  Romantic  as  is  the  real  history  of  those 
times  and  places,  to  our  minds  their  charm  is  greatly 
enhanced  by  distance,  by  the  poetry  of  legendary 
superstition,  and  the  fascination  of  fictitious  narrative. 
A  castellated  residence,  therefore,  in  a  wild  and  pictur- 
esque situation,  may  be  interesting,  not  only  from  its  being 
perfectly  in  keeping  with  surrounding  nature,  but  from 
the  delightful  manner  in  which  it  awakens  associations 
fraught  with  the  most  enticing  history  of  the  past. 

The  older  domestic  architecture  of  the  English  may  be 
viewed  in  another  pleasing  light.  Their  buildings  and 
residences  have  not  only  the  recommendation  of  beauty 
and  complete  adaptation,  but  the  additional  charm  of 
having  been  the  homes  of  our  ancestors,  and  the  dwellings 
of  that  bright  galaxy  of  English  genius  and  worth,  which 
illuminates  equally  the  intellectual  firmament  of  both 
hemispheres.    He  who  has  extended  his  researches,  con 


352 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


amove,  into  the  history  of  the  domestic  life  and  habits  of 
those  illustrious  minds,  will  not,  we  are  sure,  forget  that 
lowly  cottage  by  the  side  of  the  Avon,  where  the  great 
English  bard  was  wont  to  dwell ;  the  tasteful  residence 
of  Pope  at  Twickenham  ;  or  the  turrets  and  battlements 
of  the  more  picturesque  Abbotsford ;  and  numberless  other 
examples  of  the  rural  buildings  of  England,  once  the 
abodes  of  renowned  genius.  In  truth,  the  cottage  and 
villa  architecture  of  the  English  has  grown  out  of  the 
feelings  and  habits  of  a  refined  and  cultivated  people, 
whose  devotion  to  country  life,'  and  fondness  for  all  its 
pleasures,  are  so  finely  displayed  in  the  beauty  of  their 
dwellings,  and  the  exquisite  keeping  of  their  buildings  and 
grounds. 

It  is  this  love  of  rural  life,  and  this  nice  feeling  of 
the  harmonious  union  of  nature  and  art,  that  reflects 
so  much  credit  upon  the  English  as  a  people,  and  which, 
sooner  or  later,  we  hope  to  see  completely  naturalized  in 
this  country.  Our  rural  residences,  evincing  that  love  of 
the  beautiful  and  the  picturesque,  which,  combined  with 
solid  comfort,  is  so  attractive  to  the  eye  of  every  beholder, 
will  not  only  become  sources  of  the  purest  enjoyment  to 
the  refined  minds  of  the  possessors,  but  will  exert  an 
influence  for  the  improvement  in  taste  of  every  class  in 
our  community.  The  ambition  to  build  "  shingle  palaces" 
in  starved  and  meagre  grounds,  we  are  glad  to  see  giving 
way  to  that  more  refined  feeling  which  prefers  a  neat  villa 
or  cottage,  tastily  constructed,  and  surrounded  by  its  proper 
accessories,  of  greater  or  less  extent,  of  verdant  trees  and 
beautiful  shrubbery. 

It  is  gratifying  to  see  the  progressive  improvement  in 
Rural  Architecture,  which  within  a  few  years  past  has 
evinced  itself  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  and  par- 


Fig.  55. — The  Residence  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Bolton,  near  New  Rochelle,  N.  V 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


353 


ticularly  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  and  Connecticut 
Rivers,  as  well  as  in  the  suburbs  of  our  largest  cities. 
Here  and  there,  beautiful  villas  and  cottages  in  the  Italian 
or  old  English  styles,  are  being  erected  by  proprietors  whc 
feel  the  pre-eminent  beauty  of  these  modes  for  domestic 
architecture.  And  from  the  rapidity  with  which  improve 
ments  having  just  claims  for  public  favor  advance  in  our 
community,  we  have  every  reason  to  hope  that  our  Rural 
Architecture  will  soon  exhibit  itself  in  a  more  attractive 
and  agreeable  form  than  it  has  hitherto  generally  assumed. 
We  take  pleasure  in  referring  to  a  few  of  these  buildings 
more  in  detail. 

The  cottage  of  Thomas  W.  Ludlow,  Esq.,  near  Yonkers, 
on  the  Hudson  (Fig.  54),  is  one  of  the  most  complete 
examples  on  this  river.  The  interior  is  very  carefully 
and  harmoniously  finished,  the  apartments  are  agreeably 
arranged,  and  the  general  effect  of  the  exterior  is  varied 
and  pleasing. 

There  is  scarcely  a  building  or  place  more  replete  with 
interest  in  America,  than  the  cottage  of  Washington 
Irving,  near  Tarrytown  (Fig.  55).  The  "Legend  of 
Sleepy  Hollow,"  so  delightfully  told  in  the  Sketch-Book, 
has  made  every  one  acquainted  with  this  neighborhood, 
and  especially  with  the  site  of  the  present  building,  there 
celebrated  as  the  "  Van  Tassel  House,"  one  of  the  most 
secluded  and  delightful  nooks  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson. 
With  characteristic  taste,  Mr.  Irving  has  chosen  this  spot, 
the  haunt  of  his  early  days,  since  rendered  classic  ground 
by  his  elegant  pen,  and  made  it  his  permanent  residence. 
The  house  of  "  Baltus  Van  Tassel"  has  been  altered  and 
rebuilt  in  a  quaint  style,  partaking  somewhat  of  the 
English  cottage  mode,  but   retaining   strongly  marked 

symptoms  of  its  Dutch  origin     The  quaint  old  weather- 

23 


354 


LANDSCAPE  GAKDENING. 


cocks  and  finials,  the  crow-stepped  gables,  and  the  hall 
paved  with  Dutch  tiles,  are  among  the  ancient  and 
venerable  ornaments  of  the  houses  of  the  original 
settlers  of  Manhattan,  now  almost  extinct  among  us. 
There  is  also  a  quiet  keeping  in  the  cottage  and  th 
grounds  around  it,  that  assists  in  making  up  the  charm 
of  the  whole  ;  the  gently  swelling  slope  reaching  down 
to  the  water's  edge,  bordered  by  prettily  wooded  ravines 
through  which  a  brook  meanders  pleasantly ;  and  thread- 
ed by  foot-paths  ingeniously  contrived,  so  as  sometimes 
to  afford  secluded  walks,  and  at  others  to  allow  fine 
vistas  of  the  broad  expanse  of  river  scenery.  The 
cottage  itself  is  now  charmingly  covered  with  ivy  and 
climbing  roses,  and  embosomed  in  thickets  of  shrubbery. 

Mr.  Sheldon's  residence,  in  the  same  neighborhood, 
furnishes  us  with  another  example  of  the  Rural  Gothic 
mode,  worth  the  study  of  the  amateur.  Captain  Perry's 
spirited  cottage,  near  Sing  Sing,  partakes  of  the  same  fea- 
tures ;  and  we  might  add  numerous  other  cottages  now 
building,  or  in  contemplation,  which  show  how  fast  the 
feeling  for  something  more  expressive  and  picturesque 
is  making  progress  among  us. 

Mr.  "Warren's  residence,  at  Troy,  N".  Y.,  is  a  very 
pretty  example  of  the  English  cottage,  elegantly  fin- 
ished internally,  as  well  as  externally.  A  situation  in 
a  valley,  embosomed  with  luxuriant  trees,  would  have 
given  this  building  a  more  appropriate  and  charming 
air  than  its  present  one,  which,  however,  affords  a 
magnificent  prospect  of  the  surrounding  country. 

It  is  the  common  practice  here  to  place  a  portion  of 
what  are  called  the  domestic  offices,  as  the  kitchen 
pantries,  etc.,   in   the   basement  story   of  the  house 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


355 


directly  beneath  the  living  rooms.  This  has  partly 
arisen  from  the  circumstance  of  the  comparative  economy 
of  this  method  of  constructing  them  under  the  same 
roof ;  and  partly  from  the  difficulty  of  adding  wings  to 
the  main  building  for  those  purposes,  which  will  not 
mar  the  simplicity  and  elegance  of  a  Grecian  villa.  In 
the  better  class  of  houses  in  England,  the  domestic 
offices,  which  include  the  kitchen  and  its  appurtenances, 
and  also  the  stable,  coach-house,  harness-room,  etc.,  are 
in  the  majority  of  cases  attached  to  the  main  body  of 
the  building  on  one  side.  The  great  advantage  of 
having  all  these  conveniences  on  the  same  floor  with 
the  principal  rooms,  and  communicating  in  such  a  way 
as  to  be  easily  accessible  at  all  times  without  going  into 
the  open  air,  is  undeniable.  It  must  also  be  admitted  that 
these  domestic  offices,  extending  out  from  the  main 
building,  partly  visible  and  partly  concealed  by  trees  and 
foliage,  add  much  to  the  extent  and  importance  of  a  villa 
or  mansion  in  the  country.  In  the  old  English  style  these 
appendages  are  made  to  unite  happily  with  the  building, 
which  is  in  itself  irregular.  Picturesque  effect  is  certainly 
increased  by  thus  extending  the  pile  and  increasing  the 
variety  of  its  outline. 

A  blind  partiality  for  any  one  style  in  building  is  detri- 
mental to  the  progress  of  improvement,  both  in  taste  and 
comfort.  The  variety  of  means,  habits,  and  local  feelings, 
will  naturally  cause  many  widely  different  tastes  to  arise 
among  us  ;  and  it  is  only  by  the  means  of  a  number  of 
distinct  styles,  that  this  diversity  of  tastes  can  be  accom- 
modated. There  will  always  be  a  large  class  of  individuals 
in  every  country  who  prefer  a  plain  square  house  because 
it  is  more  economical,  and  because  they  have  little  feeling 


356 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


for  architectural,  or,  indeed,  any  other  species  of  beauty. 
But  besides  such,  there  will  always  be  found  some  men  of 
finer  natures,  who  have  a  sympathetic  appreciation  of  the 
beautiful  in  nature  and  art.  Among  these,  the  classical 
scholar  and  gentleman  may,  from  association  and  the  love 
of  antiquity,  prefer  a  villa  in  the  Grecian  or  Roman  style. 
He  who  has  a  passionate  love  of  pictures  and  especially 
fine  landscapes,  will  perhaps,  very  naturally,  prefer  the 
modern  Italian  style  for  a  country  residence.  The  wealthy 
proprietor,  either  from  the  romantic  and  chivalrous  asso- 
ciations connected  with  the  baronial  castle,  or  from  desire 
to  display  his  own  resources,  may  indulge  his  fancy  in 
erecting  a  castellated  dwelling.  The  gentleman  who 
wishes  to  realize  the  beau  ideal  of  a  genuine  old  English 
country  residence,  with  its  various  internal  comforts,  and 
its  spirited  exterior,  may  establish  himself  in  a  Tudor  villa 
or  mansion ;  and  the  lover  of  nature  and  rural  life,  who, 
with  more  limited  means,  takes  equal  interest  in  the  beauty 
of  his  grounds  or  garden  (however  small)  and  his  house — 
who  is  both  an  admirer  of  that  kind  of  beauty  called  the 
picturesque,  and  has  a  lively  perception  of  the  effect  of  a 
happy  adaptation  of  buildings  to  the  landscape, — such  a 
person  will  very  naturally  make  choice  of  the  rural  cottage 
style. 


Entrance  Lodges  are  not  only  handsome  architectural 
objects  in  the  scenery  of  country  residences  of  large  size, 
out  are  in  many  cases  exceedingly  convenient,  both  to  the 
family  and  the  guests  or  visitors  having  frequent  ingress 
and  egress.  The  entrance  lodge  may  further  be  considered 
a  matter  strictly  useful,  in  serving  as  the  dwelling  of  the 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


357 


gardener  or  farmer  and  his  family.  In  this  point  of  view, 
arrangements  for  the  comfort  and  convenience  of  the 
inmates  should  be  regarded  as  more  important  than  the 
fanciful  decoration  of  the  exterior — as  no  exterior,  howeveT 
charming,  can,  to  a  reflective  and  well  regulated  mind, 
apologize  for  contracted  apartments,  and  imperfect  light 
and  ventilation,  in  human  habitations. 

Among  the  numerous  entrance  lodges  which  we  remember 
to  have  seen  in  the  United  States,  we  scarcely  recall  a  single 
example  where  the  means,  or  rather  the  facility,  of  opening 
and  shutting  the  gate  itself,  has  been  sufficiently  considered. 
Most  generally  the  lodge  is  at  too  great  a  distance  from  the 
gate,  consuming  too  much  time  in  attendance,  and  exposing 
the  persons  attending,  generally  women  or  children,  to  the 
inclemencies  of  the  weather.  Besides  this,  service  of  this 
kind  is  less  cheerfully  performed  in  this  country  than  in 
Europe,  from  the  very  simple  reason  of  the  greater  equality 
of  conditions  here,  and  therefore  everything  which  tends 
to  lessen  labor,  is  worthy  of  being  taken  into  account. 

For  these  reasons  we  would  place  the  gate  very  near  the 
lodge ;  it  would  be  preferable  if  it  were  part  of  the  same 
architectural  composition :  and  if  possible  adopt  the  con- 
trivance now  in  use  at  some  places  abroad,  by  which  the 
gate,  being  hung  nearest  the  building,  may  be  opened  by 
the  occupant  without  the  latter  being  seen,  or  being 
scarcely  obliged  to  leave  his  or  her  employment.*  This 

*  In  Fig.  56,  is  shown  the  section  of  a  gate  arranged  upon  this  plan.  Al 
the  bottom  of  the  hanging  pest  of  the  gate,  is  a  bevelled  iron  pinion,  that  worka 
into  another  pinion,  b,  at  the  end  of  the  horizontal  shaft,  a,  which  shaft  is  fixed 
in  a  square  box  or  tunnel  under  the  road.  The  part  to  the  right  of  the  partition 
line,  /,  is  the  interior  of  the  gate-keeper's  house  ;  and  by  turning  the  winch,  e, 
the  upright  shaft,  c,  is  put  in  motion,  which  moves  by  means  of  the  bevelled 
pinions,  g,  d,  the  shaft  a,  and  therefore,  through  d,  the  back  post  of  the  gate. 


258 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


beautifully  pendent,  and  greatly  increase  the  beauty  of  an 
old  tree  of  this  kind. 

The  Norway  Spruce  is  the  great  tree  of  the  Alps ;  and 
as  a  park  tree,  to  stand  alone,  we  scarcely  know  a  more 
beautiful  one.  It  then  generally  branches  not  quite  down 
to  the  ground  ;  and  its  fine,  sweeping,  feathery  branches 
hang  down  in  the  most  graceful  and  pleasing  manner. 
There  are  some  superb  specimens  of  this  species  in  various 
gardens  of  the  middle  states,  80  or  100  feet  high. 

The  Black,  or  Double  Spruce  (A.  nigra),  sometimes  also 
called  the  Red  Spruce,  is  very  common  in  the  north ;  and, 
according  to  Michaux,  forms  a  third  part  of  the  forests  of 
Vermont,  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  as  well  as  New  Bruns- 
wick and  Lower  Canada.  The  leaves  are  quite  short  and 
stiff,  and  clothe  the  young  branches  around  the  whole 
surface ;  and  the  whole  tree,  where  it  much  abounds,  has 
rather  a  gloomy  aspect.  In  the  favorable  humid  black  soils 
of  those  countries,  the  Black  Spruce  grows  70  feet  high, 
forming  a  fine  tall  pyramid  of  verdure.  But  it  is  rarely 
found  in  abundance  further  south,  except  in  swamps,  where 
its  growth  is  much  less  strong  and  vigorous.  Mingled 
with  other  evergreens,  it  adds  to  the  variety,  and  the 
peculiar  coloring  of  its  foliage  gives  value  to  the  livelier 
tints  of  other  species  of  Pine  and  Fir. 

The  White  or  Single  Spruce  (A.  alba)  is  a  smaller  and 
less  common  tree  than  the  foregoing,  though  it  is  often 
found  in  the  same  situations.  The  leaves  are  more  thinly 
arranged  on  the  young  shoots,  and  they  are  longer  and 
project  more  from  the  branches.  The  color,  however,  is  a 
distinguishing  characteristic  between  the  two  sorts  ;  for 
while  in  the  Black  Spruce  it  is  very  dark,  in  this  species  it 


EVERGREEN    ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


is  of  a  light  bluish  green  tint.  The  cones  are  also  mucn 
larger  on  the  White  Spruce  tree. 

The  Hemlock  Spruce,  or,  as  it  is  more  commonly  called, 
the  Hemlock  (A.  canadensis),  is  one  of  the  finest  and  most 
distinct  of  this  tribe  of  trees.  It  is  most  abundantly 
multiplied  in  the  extreme  northern  portions  of  the  Union  ; 
and  abounds  more  or  less,  in  scattered  groups  and  thickets, 
throughout  all  the  middle  states,  while  at  the  south  it  is 
confined  chiefly  to  the  mountains. 

It  prefers  a  soil,  which,  though  slightly  moist,  is  less  humid 
than  that  where  the  Black  Spruce  succeeds  best ;  and  it 
thrives  well  in  the  deep  cool  shades  of  mountain  valleys. 
In  the  Highlands  of  the  Hudson  it  grows  in  great  luxuri- 
ance ;  and  in  one  locality,  the  sides  of  a  valley  near  Crow's 
nest,  the  surface  is  covered  with  the  most  superb  growths 
of  this  tree,  reaching  up  from  the  water's  edge  to  the  very 
summit  of  the  hill,  1,400  feet  high,  like  a  rich  and  shadowy 
mantle,  sprinkled  here  and  there  only  with  the  lighter  and 
more  delicate  foliage  of  deciduous  trees. 

The  average  height  of  the  Hemlock  in  good  soils  is  about 
70  or  80  feet ;  and  when  standing  alone,  or  in  very  small 
groups,  it  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  coniferous  trees.  The 
leaves  are  disposed  in  two  rows  on  each  side  of  the  branches, 
and  considerably  resemble  those  of  the  Yew,  though  looser 
in  texture,  and  livelier  in  color.  The  foliage,  when  the 
tree  has  grown  to  some  height,  hangs  from  the  branches  in 
loose  pendulous  tufts,  which  give  it  a  peculiarly  graceful 
appearance.  When  young,  the  form  of  the  head  is 
regularly  pyramidal ;  but  when  the  tree  attains  more  age, 
it  often  assumes  very  irregular  and  picturesque  forms. 


3G0 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


lodges — often  simple  and  but  little  ornamented,  or  only 

pleasingly  embowered  in 
foliage;  but,  occasional- 
ly, highly  picturesque  and 
striking  in  appearance. 

A  view  of  the  pretty 
gate  lodge  at  Nether- 
wood,  Duchess  County 

fFig.58.   The  Gate  Lodge  at  Netherwood.]      N'  Y  '  tHe  Seat  °f  Gardi" 

ner  Rowland,  Esq.,  is  shown  in  Fig.  58.  Half  a  mile 
north  of  this  seat  is  an  interesting  lodge  in  the  Swiss 
style,  at  the  entrance  to  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Sheafe. 

In  Fig.  59,  is  shown  an  elevation  of  a  lodge  in  the  Italian 
style,  with  projecting  eaves  supported  by  cantilevers  or 
brackets,  round-headed  windows  with  balconies,  character* 
istic  porch,  and  other  leading  features  of  this  style. 


[Fig.  59.    Gate  Lodge  in  the  Italian  style.] 


Mr.  Repton  has  stated  it  as  a  principle  in  the  composition 
of  residences,  that  neither  the  house  should  be  visible  from 
the  entrance  nor  the  entrance  from  the  house,  if  there  be 
sufficient  distance  between  them  to  make  the  approach 
through  varied  grounds,  or  a  park,  and  not  immediately 
into  a  court-yard. 


RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 


301 


Entrance  lodges,  and  indeed  all  small  ornamental  build- 
ings, should  be  supported,  and  partially  concealed,  by  trees 
and  foliage  ;  naked  walls,  in  the  country,  hardly  admitting 
of  an  apology  in  any  case,  but  especially  when  the  building 
is  ornamental,  and  should  be  considered  part  of  a  whole, 
grouping  with  other  objects  in  rural  landscape. 


Note. — To  readers  who  desire  to  cultivate  a  taste  for  rural  architecture,  we 
take  pleasure  in  recommending  the  following  productions  of  the  English  press. 
Loudon's  Encyclopaedia  of  Cottage,  Farm,  and  Villa  Architecture,  a  volume 
replete  with  information  on  every  branch  of  the  subject ;  Robinson's  Rural 
Architecture  and  Designs  for  Ornamental  Villas;  Lugar's  Villa  Archi- 
tecture ;  Goodwin's  Rural  Architecture  ;  Hunt's  Picturesque  Domestic 
Architecture,  and  Examples  of  Tudor  Architecture  ;  Pugin's  Examples  of 
Gothic  Architecture,  etc.  The  most  successful  American  architects  in  this 
branch  of  the  art,  with  whom  we  are  acquainted,  are  Alexander  J.  Davis,  Esq., 
of  New  York,  and  John  Notman,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia. 


[Fig.  60.  The  Gardener's  House,  Blithewood.} 


362 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


SECTION  X. 


EMBELLISHMENTS  ;   ARCHITECTURAL,    RUSTIC,  AND  FLORAL. 


Value  of  a  proper  connexion  between  the  house  and  grounds.  Beauty  of  the  architectural 
terrace,  and  its  application  to  villas  and  cottages.  Use  of  vases  of  different  descriptions 
Sun-dials.  Architectural  flower-garden.  Irregular  flower-garden.  French  flower-garden. 
English  flower-garden.  General  remarks  on  this  subject.  Selection  of  showy  plants, 
flowering  in  succession.  Arrangement  of  the  shrubbery,  and  selection  of  choice  shrubs. 
The  conservatory  or  green-house.  Open  and  covered  seats.  Pavilions.  Rustic  seats. 
Prospect  tower.  Bridges.  Rockwork.  Fountains  of  various  descriptions.  Judicious 
introduction  of  decorations. 


Nature,  assuming  a  more  lovely  face, 
Borrowing  a  beauty  from  the  works  of  grace. 

Cowper. 


 -Each  odorous  bushy  shrub 

Fenced  up  the  verdant  wall ;  each  beauteous  flower  ; 
Iris  all  hues,  Roses  and  Jessamine 
Rear'd  high  their  flourished  heads  between, 
And  wrought  Mosaic. 

Mb.ton. 


N  our  finest  places,  or  those 
country  seats  where  much  of 
the  polish  of  pleasure  ground 
or  park  scenery  is  kept  up,  one  of  the  most  striking  defects 
is  the  want  of  "  union  between  the  house  and  the  grounds." 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


363 


We  are  well  aware  that  from  the  comparative  rarity  of  any- 
thing like  a  highly  kept  place  in  this  country,  the  want  of 
this,  which  is  indeed  like  the  last  finish  to  the  residence,  is 
scarcely  felt  at  all.  But  this  only  proves  the  infant  state 
of  Landscape  Gardening  here,  and  the  little  attention  that 
has  been  paid  to  the  highest  details  of  the  art. 

If  our  readers  will  imagine,  with  us,  a  pretty  villa,  con- 
veniently arranged  and  well  constructed,  in  short,  complete 
in  itself  as  regards  its  architecture,  and  at  the  same  time, 
properly  placed  in  a  smooth  well  kept  lawn,  studded  with 
groups  and  masses  of  fine  trees,  they  will  have  an  example 
often  to  be  met  with,  of  a  place,  in  the  graceful  school  of 
design,  about  which,  however,  there  is  felt  to  be  a  certain 
incongruity  between  the  house,  a  highly  artificial  object, 
and  the  surrounding  grounds,  where  the  prevailing  ex- 
pression in  the  latter  is  that  of  beautiful  nature. 

Let  us  suppose,  for  further  illustration,  the  same  house 
and  grounds  with  a  few  additions.  The  house  now  rising 
directly  out  of  the  green  turf  which  encompasses  it,  we 
will  surround  by  a  raised  platform  or  terrace,  wide  enough 
for  a  dry,  firm  walk,  at  all  seasons ;  on  the  top  of  the  wall 
or  border  of  this  terrace,  we  will  form  a  handsome  parapet, 
or  balustrade,  some  two  or  three  feet  high,  the  details  of 
which  shall  be  in  good  keeping  with  the  house,  whether 
Grecian  or  Gothic.  On  the  coping  of  this  parapet,  if  the 
house  is  in  the  classical  style,  we  will  find  suitable  places, 
at  proper  intervals,  for  some  handsome  urns,  vases,  etc. 
On  the  drawing-room  side  of  the  house,  that  is,  the  side 
towards  which  the  best  room  or  rooms  look,  we  will  place 
the  flower-garden,  into  which  we  descend  from  the  terrace 
by  a  few  steps.  This  flower-garden  may  be  simply  what 
its  name  denotes,  a  place  exclusively  devoted  to  the  culti- 


364 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


vation  of  flowers,  or  (if  the  house  is  not  in  a  very  plain 
style,  admitting  of  little  enrichment)  it  may  be  an  archi- 
tectural flower-garden.  In  the  latter  case,  intermingled 
with  the  flowers,  are  to  be  seen  vases,  fountains,  and  some- 
times even  statues ;  the  effect  of  the  fine  colors  and  deep 
foliage  of  the  former,  heightened  by  contrast  with  the 
sculptured  forms  of  the  latter. 

If  our  readers  will  now  step  back  a  few  rods  with  us  and 
take  a  second  view  of  our  villa  residence,  with  its 
supposed  harmonizing  accessories,  we  think  they  can  hardly 
fail  to  be  impressed  at  once  with  the  great  improvement 
of  the  whole.  The  eye  now,  instead  of  witnessing  the 
sudden  termination  of  the  architecture  at  the  base  of  the 
•  house,  where  the  lawn  commences  as  suddenly,  will  be  at 
once  struck  with  the  increased  variety  and  richness 
imparted  to  the  whole  scene,  by  the  addition  of  the  archi- 
tectural and  garden  decorations.  The  mind  is  led 
gradually  down  from  the  house,  with  its  projecting  porch 
or  piazzas,  to  the  surrounding  terrace  crowned  with  its 
beautiful  vases,  and  from  thence  to  the  architectural 
flower-garden,  interspersed  with  similar  ornaments.  The 
various  play  of  light  afforded  by  these  sculptured  forms  on 
the  terrace  ;  the  projections  and  recesses  of  the  parapet, 
with  here  and  there  some  climbing  plants  luxuriantly 
enwreathing  it,  throwing  out  the  mural  objects  in  stronger 
relief,  and  connecting  them  pleasantly  with  the  verdure  of 
the  turf  beneath  ;  the  still  further  rambling  off  of  vases, 
etc.,  into  the  brilliant  flower-garden,  which,  through  these 
ornaments,  maintains  an  avowed  connexion  with  the 
architecture  of  the  house;  all  this,  we  think  it  cannot  be 
denied,  forms  a  rich  setting  to  the  architecture,  and  unites 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


365 


agreeably  the  forms  of  surrounding  nature  with  the  more 
regular  and  uniform  outlines  of  the  building. 

The  effect  will  not  be  less  pleasing  if  viewed  from 
another  point  of  view,  viz.  the  terrace,  or  from  the  apart- 
ments of  the  house  itself.  From  either  of  these  points,  the 
various  objects  enumerated,  will  form  a  rich  foreground 
to  the  pleasure-grounds  or  park — a  matter  which  painters 
well  know  how  to  estimate,  as  a  landscape  is  incomplete 
and  unsatisfactory  to  them,  however  beautiful  the  middle 
or  distant  points,  unless  there  are  some  strongly  marked 
objects  in  the  foreground.  In  fine,  the  intervention  of 
these  elegant  accompaniments  to  our  houses  prevents  us, 
as  Mr.  Hope  has  observed,  "  from  launching  at  once  from 
the  threshold  of  the  symmetric  mansion,  in  the  most  abrupt 
manner,  into  a  scene  wholly  composed  of  the  most 
un  symmetric  and  desultory  forms  of  mere  nature,  which 
are  totally  out  of  character  with  the  mansion,  whatever 
may  be  its  style  of  architecture  and  furnishing."* 

The  highly  decorated  terrace,  as  we  have  here  supposed 
it,  would,  it  is  evident,  be  in  unison  with  villas  of  a  some- 
what superior  style  ;  or,  in  other  words,  the  amount  of 
enrichment  bestowed  upon  exterior  decoration  near  the 
house,  should  correspond  to  the  style  of  art  evinced  in  the 
exterior  of  the  mansion  itself.  An  humble  cottage  with 
sculptured  vases  on  its  terrace  and  parapet,  would  be  in 
bad  taste  ;  but  any  Grecian,  Roman,  or  Italian  villa,  where 
a  moderate  degree  of  exterior  ornament  is  visible,  or  a 
Gothic  villa  of  the  better  class,  will  allow  the  additional 
enrichment  of  the  architectural  terrace  and  its  ornaments. 
Indeed  the  terrace  itself,  in  so  far  as  it  denotes  a  raised  dry 

*  Essay  on  Ornamental  Gardening,  by  Thomas  Hope. 


366 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


platform  around  the  house,  is  a  suitable  and  appropriate 
appendage  to  every  dwelling,  of  whatever  class. 

The  width  of  a  terrace  around  a  house  may  vary  from 
five  to  twenty  feet,  or  more,  in  proportion  as  the  building 
is  of  greater  or  less  importance.  The  surrounding  wall, 
which  supports  its  level,  may  also  vary  from  one  to  eight 
feet.  The  terrace,  in  the  better  class  of  English  residences, 
is  paved  with  smooth  flag  stones,  or  in  place  of  this,  a  sur- 
face of  firm  well-rolled  gravel  is  substituted.  In  residences 
where  a  parapet  or  balustrade  would  be  thought  too 
expensive,  a  square  stone  or  plinth  is  placed  at  the  angles 
or  four  corners  of  the  terrace,  which  serves  as  the  pedestal 
for  a  vase  or  urn.  When  a  more  elegant  and  finished 
appearance  is  desirable,  the  parapet  formed  of  open  work 
of  stone,  or  wood  painted  in  imitation  of  stone,  rises  above 
the  level  of  the  terrace  two  or  three  feet  with  a  suitably 
bold  coping.  On  this  vases  may  be  placed,  not  only  at  the 
corners,  but  at  regular  intervals  of  ten,  twenty,  or  more 
feet.  We  have  alluded  to  the  good  effect  of  climbers,  here 
and  there  planted,  and  suffered  to  intermingle  their  rich 
foliage  with  the  open  work  of  the  parapet  and  its  crowning 
ornaments.  In  the  climate  of  Philadelphia,  the  Giant  Ivy, 
with  its  thick  sculpturesque  looking  masses  of  foliage, 
would  be  admirably  suited  to  this  purpose.  Or  the  Vir- 
ginia Creeper  ('.he  Ivy  of  America)  may  take  its  place  in 
any  other  portion  of  the  Union.  To  these  we  may  add, 
the  Chinese  twining  Honeysuckle  (Lonicera  flexuosa)  and 
the  Sweet-scented  Clematis,  both  deliciously  fragrant  in 
their  blossoms,  with  many  other  fine  climbers  which  will 
readily  recur  to  the  amateur. 

There  can  be  no  reason  why  the  smallest  cottage,  if  its 
occupant  be  a  person  of  taste,  should  not  have  a  terrace 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


367 


decorated  in  a  suitable  manner.  This  is  easily  and  cheapl) 
effected  by  placing  neat  flower-pots  on  the  parapet,  01 
border  and  aDgles  of  the  terrace,  with  suitable  plants  grow- 
ing in  theoi.  For  this  purpose,  the  American  or  Century 
Aloe,  a  foiY^al  architectural-looking  plant,  is  exceedingly 
well  adapted,  as  it  always  preserves  nearly  the 
same  appearance.  Or  in  place  of  this,  the 
Yuccas,  or  "Adam's  needle  and  thread" 
which  have  something:  of  the  same  character, 


Hffl 

while  they  also  produce  beautiful  heads  of 


[Fig.  6i.]      flowers,  may  be  chosen.    Yucca  flaccida  is  a 
fine1  hardy  species,  which  would  look  well 
in  such  a  situation.    An  aloe  in  a  common 
flower  pot  is  shown  in  Fig.  61 ;   and  a 
Yucca   in   an   ornamental   flower-pot  in 

Fig.  62.  7FigT62,]  ^ 

Where  there  is  a  terrace  ornamented  with  urns  or  vases, 
and  the  proprietor  wishes  to  give  a  corresponding  air  of 
elegance  to  his  grounds,  vases,  sundials,  etc.,  may  be  placed 
in  various  appropriate  situations,  not  only  in  the  architec 
tural  flower-garden,  but  on  the  lawn,  and  through  the 
pleasure-grounds  in  various  different  points  near  the  house 
We  say  near  the  house,  because  we  think  so  highly  arti- 
ficial and  architectural  an  object  as  a  sculptured  vase,  is 
never  correctly  introduced  unless  it  appear  in  some  way 
connected  with  buildings,  or  objects  of  a  like  architectural 
character.  To  place  a  beautiful  vase  in  a  distant  part  of 
the  grounds,  where  there  is  no  direct  allusion  to  art,  and 
where  it  is  accompanied  only  by  natural  objects,  as  the 
overhanging  trees  and  the  sloping  turf,  is  in  a  measure 
doing  violence  to  our  reason  or  taste,  by  bringing  twc 
objects  so  strongly  contrasted,  in  direct  union.    But  when 


368 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


we  see  a  statue  or  a  vase  placed  in  any  part  of  the  grounds 
where  a  near  view  is  obtained  of  the  house  (and  its  accom- 
panying statues  or  vases),  the  whole  is  accounted  for,  and 
we  feel  the  distant  vase  to  be  only  a  part  of,  or  rather  a 
repetition  of  the  same  idea, — in  other  words,  that  it  forms 
part  of  a  whole,  harmonious  and  consistent. 

Vases  of  real  stone,  as  marble  or  granite,  are  decorations 
of  too  costly  a  kind  ever  to  come  into  general  use  among 
us.  Vases,  however,  of  equally  beautiful  forms,  are  manu- 
factured of  artificial  stone,  of  fine  pottery,  or  of  cast  iron, 
which  have  the  same  effect,  and  are  of  nearly  equal  dura- 
bility, as  garden  decorations. 

A  vase  should  never,  in  the  open  air,  be  set  down  upon 
the  ground  or  grass,  without  being  placed  upon  a  firm  base 
of  some  description,  either  a  plinth  or  a  pedestal.  Without 
a  base  of  this  kind  it  has  a  temporary  look,  as  if  it  had  been 
left  there  by  mere  accident,  and  without  any  intention  of 
permanence.  Placing  it  upon  a  pedestal,  or  square  plinth 
(block  of  stone),  gives  it  a  character  of  art,  at  once  more 
dignified  and  expressive  of  stability.  Besides  this,  the 
pedestal  in  reality  serves  to  preserve  the  vase  in  a  perpen- 
dicular position,  as  well  as  to  expose  it  fairly  to  the  eye, 
which  could  not  be  the  case  were  it  put  down,  without  any 
preparation,  on  the  bare  turf  or  gravel. 

Figure  63  is  a  Gothic,  and  Figures  64,  65,  are 
Grecian  vases,  commonly  manufactured  in  plaster 
in  our  cities,  but  which  are  also  made  of  Roman 
cement.  They  are  here  shown  upon  suitable 
pedestals — a  being  the  vase,  and  b  the  pedestal. 
These  with  many  other  elegant  vases  and  urns  are 
manufactured  in  an  artificial  stone,  as  durable  as 

Tig.  63.] 

marble,  by  Austin  of  London,  and  together  with  a  great 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


369 


variety  of  other  beautiful  sculpturesque  decorations,  may 
be  imported  at  very  reasonable  prices. 

Figures  64,  65,  are  beautiful  vases  of  pottery  ware 
manufactured  by  Peake,  of  Staffordshire — and  which  may 
be  imported  cheaply,  or  will  be  made  to  order  at  the  Sala- 
mander works,  in  New  York.  These  vases,  when  colored 
^6±><am^uk^^^&  to  imitate  marble  or  other  stone,  are  ex 
tremely  durable  and  very  ornamental. 
As  yet,  we  are  unable  to  refer  our  readers 
to  any  manufactory  here,  where  these 
articles  are  made  in  a  manner  fully  equal 
to  the  English ;  but  we  are  satisfied,  it  is 
only  necessary  that  the  taste  for  such 
articles  should  increase,  and  the  conse- 
quent demand,  to  induce  our  artisans  to 
[Fig.  64.]  produce  them  of  equal  beauty  and  of 
greater  cheapness. 

At  Blithewood,  the  seat  of  R.  Donaldson,  Esq.,  on  the 
Hudson,  a  number  of  exquisite  vases  may 
be  seen  in  the  pleasure-grounds,  which  are 
cut  in  Maltese  stone.  These  were  imported 
by  the  proprietor,  direct  from  Malta,  at  very 
moderate  rates,  and  are  not  only  ornamen-* 
tal,  but  very  durable.  Their  color  is  a 
warm  shade  of  grey  which  harmonizes 
agreeably  with  the  surround- 
ing vegetation. 

Large  vases  are  sometimes        [Fig.  65.] 
filled  with  earth  and  planted  with  choice  flow- 
ering plants,  and  the  effect  of  the  blossoms  and 
green  leaves  growing  out  of  these  handsome 

receptacles,  is  at  least  unique  and  striking 

24 


[Fig.  66.] 


370 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Loudon  objects  to  it  in  the  case  of  an  elegant  sculp- 
tured vase,  "because  it  is  reducing  a  work  of  art  to  the 
level  of  a  mere  garden  flower-pot,  and  dividing  the 
attention  between  the  beauty  of  the  form  of  the  vase 
and  of  its  sculptured  ornaments,  and  that  of  the  plant 
which  it  contains."  This  criticism  is  a  just  one  in  it3 
general  application,  especially  when  vases 
are  considered  as  architectural  decorations. 
Occasional  deviations,  however,  may  be  per- 
mitted, for  the  sake  of  producing  variety, 
especially  in  the  case  of  vases  used  as  deco- 
rations in  the  flower-garden. 

A  very  pretty  and  fanciful  substitute  for 
the  sculptured  vase,  and  which  may  take  its 
r>lace  in  the  picturesque  landscape,  may  be 
found  in  vases  or  baskets  of  rustic  work,  con-  [Fig.  67.] 
structed  of  the  branches  and  sections  of  trees  with  the 
bark  attached.  Figure  68  is  a  re- 
presentation of  a  pleasing  rustic  vase 
which  we  have  constructed  without 
difficulty.  A  tripod  of  branches  of  trees 
forms  the  pedestal.  An  octagonal  box 
serves  as  the  body  or  frame  of  the  vase ; 
on  this,  pieces  of  birch  and  hazel  (small 
[Fig.  68.]  split  limbs  covered  with  the  bark)  are 

nailed  closely,  so  as  to  form  a  sort  of  mosaic  covering  to  the 
whole  exterior.    Ornaments  of  this  kind,  which  may  be 

made  bv  the  amateur  with  the  assistance  of  a  common 
j 

carpenter,  are  very  suitable  for  the  decoration  of  the 
grounds  and  flower-gardens  of  cottages  or  picturesque 
villas.    An  endless  variety  of  forms  will  occur  to  an 


EMBELLISHMENTS.  371 

ingenious  artist  in  rustic  work,  which  he  may  call  in  to  the 
embellishment  of  rural  scenes,  without  taxing  his  purse 
heavily. 

Sundials  (Fig.  69)  are  among  the  oldest  decorations  foi 
the  garden  and  grounds,  and  there  are  scarcely  any  which 
we  think  more  suitable.  They  are  not  merely 
decorative,  but  have  also  an  useful  character,  and 
may  therefore  be  occasionally  placed  in  distant 
parts  of  the  grounds,  should  a  favorite  walk  ter- 
minate there.  When  we  meet  daily  in  our  walks 
for  a  number  of  years,  with  one  of  these  silent 
monitors  of  the  flight  of  time,  we  become  in  a 
degree  attached  to  it,  and  really  look  upon  it  as 
gifted  with  a  species  of  intelligence,  beaming  out 
when  the  sunbeams  smile  upon  its  dial-plate. 


[Fig.  69.]  The  Architectural  Flower-garden,  as  we 
have  just  remarked,  has  generally  a  direct  connexion  with 
the  house,  at  least  on  one  side  by  the  terrace.  It  may  be 
of  greater  or  less  size,  from  twenty  feet  square  to  half  an 
acre  in  extent.  The  leading  characteristics  of  this  species 
of  flower-garden,  are  the  regular  lines  and  forms  employed 
in  its  beds  and  walks.  The  flowers  are  generally  planted 
in  beds  in  the  form  of  circles,  octagons,  squares,  etc.,  the 
centre  of  the  garden  being  occupied  by  an  elegant  vase,  a 
sundial,  or  that  still  finer  ornament,  a  fountain,  or  jet  aVeau. 
In  various  parts  of  the  garden,  along  the  principal  walks, 
or  in  the  centre  of  parterres,  pedestals  supporting  vases, 
urns,  or  handsome  flower-pots  with  plants,  are  placed. 
When  a  highly  marked  character  of  art  is  intended,  a 
balustrade  or  parapet,  resembling  that  of  the  terrace  to 
which  it  is  connected,  is  continued  round  the  whole  of 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


this  garden.  Or  in  other  cases  the  garden  is  surroundud 
by  a  thicket  of  shrubs  and  low  trees,  partly  concealing  it 
from  the  eye  on  all  sides  but  one. 

It  is  evident  that  the  architectural  flower-garden  is 
superior  to  the  general  flower-garden,  as  an  appendage 
to  the  house,  on  two  accounts.  First,  because,  as  we 
have  already  shown,  it  serves  an  admirable  purpose 
in  effecting  a  harmonious  union  between  the  house  and  the 
grounds.  And  secondly,  because  we  have  both  the  rich 
verdure  and  gay  blossoms  of  the  flowering  plants,  and  the 
more  permanent  beauty  of  sculptured  forms ;  the  latter 
heightening  the  effect  of  the  former  by  contrast,  as  well  as 
by  the  relief  they  afford  the  eye  in  masses  of  light,  amid 
surrounding  verdure. 

There  are  several  varieties  of  general  flower-gardens, 
which  may  be  formed  near  the  house.  Among  these  we 
will  only  notice  the  irregular  flower-garden,  the  old  French 
flower-garden,  and  the  modern  or  English  flower-garden. 

In  almost  all  the  different  kinds  of  flower-gardens,  two 
methods  of  forming  the  beds  are  observed.  One  is,  to  cut 
the  beds  out  of  the  green  turf,  which  is  ever  afterwards 


TFig.  70.   The  Irregular  Flower-garden.] 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


373 


kept  well-mown  or  cut  for  the  walks,  and  the  edges  pared  ; 
the  other,  to  surround  the  beds  with  edgings  of  verdure,  as 
box,  etc.,  or  some  more  durable  material,  as  tiles,  or  cut 
stone,  the  walks  between  being  covered  with  gravel.  The 
turf  is  certainly  the  most  agreeable  for  walking  upon  in 
the  heat  of  summer,  and  the  dry  part  of  the  day  ;  while 
the  gravelled  flower-garden  affords  a  dry  footing  at  nearly 
all  hours  and  seasons. 

The  irregular  flower-garden  is  surrounded  by  an  irregu- 
lar belt  of  trees  and  ornamental  shrubs  of  the  choicest 
species,  and  the  beds  are  varied  in  outline,  as  well  as 
irregularly  disposed,  sometimes  grouping  together,  some- 
times standing  singly,  but  exhibiting  no  uniformity  of 
arrangement.  An  idea  of  its  general  appearance  may  be 
gathered  from  the  accompanying  sketch  (Fig.  70),  which 
may  be  varied  at  pleasure.  In  it  the  irregular  boundary 
of  shrubs  is  shown  at  a,  the  flower-beds  b,  and  the  walks  e. 

This  kind  of  flower-garden  would  be  a  suitable  accom- 
paniment to  the  house  and  grounds  of  an  enthusiastic 
lover  of  the  picturesque,  whose  residence  is  in  the  Rural 
Gothic  style,  and  whose  grounds  are  also  eminently  varied 
and  picturesque.  Or  it  might  form  a  pretty  termination 
to  a  distant  walk  in  the  pleasure-grounds,  where  it  would 
be  more  necessary  that  the  flower-garden  should  be  in 
keeping  with  the  surrounding  plantations  and  scenery  than 
with  the  house. 

Where  the  flower-garden  is  a  spot  set  apart,  of  ariy 
regular  outline,  not  of  large  size,  and  especially  where  it  is 
attached  directly  to  the  house,  we  think  the  effect  is  most 
satisfactory  when  the  beds  or  walks  are  laid  out  in  sym- 
metrical forms.  Our  reasons  for  this  are  these  :  the 
flower-garden,  unlike  distant  portions  of  the  pleasure- 


374 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


ground  scenery,  is  an  appendage  to  the  house,  seen  in  the 
same  view  or  moment  with  it,  and  therefore  should  exhibit 
something  of  the  regularity  which  characterizes,  n  a 
greater  or  less  degree,  all  architectural  compositions ;  and 
when  a  given  scene  is  so  small  as  to  be  embraced  in  a 
single  glance  of  the  eye,  regular  forms  are  found  to  be 
more  satisfactory  than  irregular  ones,  which,  on  so  small  a 
scale,  are  apt  to  appear  unmeaning. 

The  French  flower-garden  is  the  most  fanciful  of  the 
regular  modes  of  laying  out  the  area  devoted  to  this  purpose. 
The  patterns  or  figures  employed  are  often  highly  intricate, 
and  require  considerable  skill  in  their  formation.  The 
walks  are  either  of  gravel  or  smoothly  shaven  turf,  and  the 
beds  are  filled  with  choice  flowering  plants.  It  is  evident 
that  much  of  the  beauty  of  this  kind  of  flower-garden,  or 
indeed  any  other  where  the  figures  are  regular  and  intri- 
cate, must  depend  on  the  outlines  of  the  beds,  or  parterres 
of  embroidery,  as  they  are  called,  being  kept  distinct  and 
clear.  To  do  this  effectually,  low  growing  herbaceous 
plants  or  border  flowers,  perennials  and  annuals,  should  be 
chosen,  such  as  will  not  exceed  on  an  average,  one  or  two 
feet  in  height. 

In  the  English  flower-garden,  the  beds  are  either  in 
symmetrical  forms  and  figures,  or  they  are  characterized 
by  irregular  curved  outlines.  The  peculiarity  of  these 
gardens,  at  present  so  fashionable  in  England,  is,  that  each 
separate  bed  is  planted  with  a  single  variety,  or  at  most 
two  varieties  of  flowers.  Only  the  most  striking  and 
showy  varieties  are  generally  chosen,  and  the  effect,  when 
the  selection  is  judicious,  is  highly  brilliant.  Each  bed,  in 
its  season,  presents  a  mass  of  blossoms,  and  the  contrast  of 
rich  colors  is  much  more  striking  than  in  any  other 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


375 


arrangement.  No  plants  are  admitted  that  are  shy  bloom- 
ers,, or  which  have  ugly  habits  of  growth,  meagre  or  starved 
ioliage ;  the  aim  being  brilliant  effect,  rather  than  the 
display  of  a  great  variety  of  curious  or  rare  plants.  To 
bring  this  about  more  perfectly,  and  to  have  an  elegant 
show  during  the  whole  season  of  growth,  hyacinths  and 
other  fine  bulbous  roots  occupy  a  certain  portion  of  the 
ueds,  the  intervals  being  filled  with  handsome  herbaceous 
plants,  permanently  planted,  or  with  flowering  annuals  and 
green-house  plants  renewed  every  season. 

To  illustrate  the  mode  of  arranging  the  beds  and  disposing 
the  plants  in  an  English  garden,  we  copy  the  plan  and 
description  of  the  elegant  flower-garden,  on  the  lawn  at 
Dropmore,  the  beds  being  cut  out  of  the  smooth  turf. 


"  As  a  general  principle  for  regulating  the  plants  in  this 
figure,  the  winter  and  spring  flowers  ought,  as  much  as 
possible,  to  be  of  sorts  which  admit  of  being  in  the  ground 
all  the  year :  and  the  summer  crop  should  be  planted  at 
intervals  between  the  winter  plants.  Or  the  summer  crop, 
having  been  brought  forward  in  pots  under  glass,  or  by 
nightly  protection,  may  be  planted  out  about  the  middle  of 
June,  after  the  winter  plants  in  pots  are  removed.  A 
number  of  hardy  bulbs  ought  to  be  potted  and  plunged  in 
the  beds  in  the  months  of  October  and  November  ;  and 
when  out  of  bloom,  in  Mav  or  June,  removed  to  the  reserve 


376 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


garden  and  plunged  there,  in  order  to  perfect  their  foliage 
and  mature  their  bulbs  for  the  succeeding  season."* 

There  cannot  be  a  question  that  this  method  of  planting 
the  flower-garden  in  groups  and  masses,  is  productive  of 
by  far  the  most  splendid  effect.  In  England,  where  flower- 
gardens  are  carried  to  their  greatest  perfection,  the  pre- 
ference in  planting  is  given  to  exotics  which  blossom 
constantly  throughout  the  season,  and  which  are  kept  in 
the  green-house  during  winter,  and  turned  out  in  the 
beds  in  the  early  part  of  the  season,  where  they  flower  in 
the  greatest  profusion  until  frost ;  as  Fuchsias,  Salvias, 


[Fig.  72.    English  FIower-Garden.J 


*  Ency.  of  Gardening,  1000. 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


377 


Lobelias,  Scarlet  Geraniums,  etc.,  etc.*  This  mode  car, 
be  adopted  here  where  a  small  green-house  or  frame  is 
kept.  In  the  absence  of  these,  nearly  the  same  effect  may 
be  produced  by  choosing  the  most  showy  herbaceous  plants, 
perennial  and  biennial,  alternating  them  with  hardy  bulbs, 
and  the  finer  species  of  annuals. 

In  Fig.  72,  we  give  an  example  of  a  small  cottage  or 
villa  residence  of  one  or  two  acres,  where  the  flower-beds 
are  disposed  around  the  lawn  in  the  English  style  :  their 
forms  irregular,  with  curved  outlines,  affording  a  great 
degree  of  variety  in  the  appearance  as  viewed  from  differ- 
ent points  on  the  lawn  itself.  In  this,  the  central  portion 
is  occupied  by  the  lawn ;  c,  d,  are  the  flower-beds,  planted 
with  showy  border-flowers,  in  separate  masses ;  b,  the 
conservatory.  Surrounding  the  whole  is  a  collection  of 
choice  shrubs  and  trees,  the  lowest  near  the  walk,  and  those 
behind  increasing  in  altitude  as  they  approach  the  boundary 
wall  or  fence.  In  this  plan,  as  there  is  supposed  to  be  no 
exterior  view  worth  preserving,  the  amphitheatre  of  shrubs 
and  trees  completely  shuts  out  all  objects  but  the  lawn  and 
its  decorations,  which  are  rendered  as  elegant  as  possible. 

Where  the  proprietor  of  a  country  residence,  or  the 
ladies  of  a  family,  have  a  particular  taste,  it  may  be  indulged 
at  pleasure  in  other  and  different  varieties  of  the  flower- 
garden.    With  some  families  there  is  a  taste  for  botany, 

*  In  many  English  residences,  the  flower-garden  is  maintained  in  never- 
fading  brilliancy  by  almost  daily  supplies  from  what  is  termed  the  reserve 
garden.  This  is  a  small  garden  out  of  sight,  in  which  a  great  number  of 
duplicates  of  the  species  in  the  flower-garden  are  grown  in  pots  plunged  in 
beds.  As  soon  as  a  vacuum  is  made  in  the  flower-garden  by  the  fading  of  any 
flowers,  the  same  are  immediately  removed  and  their  places  supplied  by  fresh 
plants  just  ready  to  bloom,  from  the  pots  in  the  reserve  garden.  This,  which  ia 
the  ultimatum  of  refinement  in  flower-gardening,  has  never,  to  our  knowledge, 
been  attempted  in  this  country. 


378 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


when  a  small  botanic  flower-garden  may  be  preferred — the 
herbaceous  and  other  plants  being  grouped  or  massed  in 
beds  after  the  Linncean,  or  the  natural  method.  Some 
persons  have  an  enthusiastic  fondness  for  florist  flowers,  as 
Pansies,  Carnations,  Dahlias,  Roses,  etc. ;  others  for  bulbous 
roots,  all  of  which  may  very  properly  lead  to  particular 
modes  of  laying  out  flower-gardens. 

The  desideratum,  however,  with  most  persons  is,  to  have 
a  continued  display  of  blossoms  in  the  flower-garden  from 
the  opening  of  the  crocus  and  snowdrop  in  the  spring, 
until  the  autumnal  frosts  cut  off  the  last  pale  asters,  or 
blacken  the  stems  of  the  luxuriant  dahlias  in  November. 
This  may  be  done  with  a  very  small  catalogue  of  plants  if 
they  are  properly  selected  :  such  as  flower  at  different 
seasons,  continue  long  time  in  bloom,  and  present  fine 
masses  of  flowers.  On  the  other  hand,  a  very  large  num- 
ber of  species  may  be  assembled  together ;  and  owing  to 
their  being  merely  botanical  rarities,  and  not  bearing  fine 
flowers,  or  to  their  blossoming  chiefly  in  a  certain  portion 
of  the  season,  or  continuing  but  a  short  period  in  bloom, 
the  flower-garden  will  often  have  but  an  insignificant 
appearance.  With  a  group  of  Pansies  and  spring  bulbs,  a 
bed  of  ever-blooming  China  Roses,  including  the  Isle  de 
Bourbon  varieties,  some  few  Eschscholtzias,  the  showy 
Petunias,  Gilias,  and  other  annuals,  and  a  dozen  choice 
double  Dahlias,  and  some  trailing  Verbenas,  a  limited  spot, 
of  a  few  yards  in  diameter,  may  be  made  productive  of 
more  enjoyment,  so  far  as  regards  a  continued  display  of 
flowers,  than  ten  times  that  space,  planted,  as  we  often  see 
flower-gardens  here,  with  a  heterogeneous  mixture  of 
everything  the  possesor  can  lay  his  hands  on,  or  crowd 
within  the  inclosure. 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


379 


The  mingled  flower-garden,  as  it  is  termed,  is  by  far  the 
most  common  mode  of  arrangement  in  this  country,  though 
it  is  seldom  well  effected.  The  object  in  this  is  to  dispose 
the  plants  in  the  beds  in  such  a  manner,  that  while  there 
is  no  predominance  of  bloom  in  any  one  portion  of  the  beds 
there  shall  be  a  general  admixture  of  colors  and  blossoms 
throughout  the  entire  garden  during  the  whole  season  of 
growth. 

To  promote  this,  the  more  showy  plants  should  be  often 
repeated  in  different  parts  of  the  garden,  or  even  the  same 
parterre  when  large,  the  less  beautiful  sorts  being  suffered 
to  occupy  but  moderate  space.  The  smallest  plants  should 
be  nearest  the  walk,  those  a  little  taller  behind  them,  and 
the  largest  should  be  furthest  from  the  eye,  at  the  back  of 
the  border,  when  the  latter  is  seen  from  one  side  only,  01 
in  the  centre,  if  the  bed  be  viewed  from  both  sides.  A 
neglect  of  this  simple  rule  will  not  only  give  the  beds,  when 
the  plants  are  full  grown,  a  confused  look,  but  the  beauty 
of  the  humbler  and  more  delicate  plants  will  be  lost  amid 
the  tall  thick  branches  of  sturdier  plants,  or  removed  so 
far  from  the  spectator  in  the  walks,  as  to  be  overlooked. 

Considerable  experience  is  necessary  to  arrange  even  a 
moderate  number  of  plants  in  accordance  with  these  rules. 
To  perform  it  successfully,  some  knowledge  of  the  habits 
of  the  plants  is.  an  important  requisite  ;  their  height,  time 
of  flowering,  and  the  colors  of  their  blossoms.  When  a 
gardener,  or  an  amateur,  is  perfectly  informed  on  these 
points,  he  can  take  a  given  number  of  plants  of  different 
species,  make  a  plan  of  the  bed  or  all  the  beds  of  a  flower 
garden  upon  paper,  and  designate  the  particular  situation 
of  each  species. 


360 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


The  shrubbery  is  so  generally  situated  m  the  neighbor, 
hood  of  the  flower-garden  and  the  house,  that  we  shall 
here  offer  a  few  remarks  on  its  arrangement  and  distri- 
bution. 

A  collection  of  flowering  shrubs  is  so  ornamental,  that 
to  a  greater  or  less  extent  it  is  to  be  found  in  almost  every 
residence  of  the  most  moderate  size :  the  manner  in  which 
the  shrubs  are  disposed,  must  necessarily  depend  in  a  great 
degree  upon  the  size  of  the  grounds,  the  use  or  enjoyment 
to  be  derived  from  them,  and  the  prevailing  character  of 
the  scenery. 

It  is  evident,  on  a  moment's  reflection,  that  shrubs  being 
intrinsically  more  ornamental  than  trees,  on  account  of  the 
beauty  and  abundance  of  their  flowers,  they  will  generally 
be  placed  near  and  about  the  house,  in  order  that  their  gay 
blossoms  and  fine  fragrance  may  be  more  constantly 
enjoyed,  than  if  they  were  scattered  indiscriminately  over 
the  grounds. 

Where  a  place  is  limited  in  size,  and  the  whole  lawn  and 
plantations  partake  of  the  pleasure-ground  character, 
shrubs  of  all  descriptions  may  be  grouped  with  good  effect, 
in  the  same  manner  as  trees,  throughout  the  grounds  ;  the 
finer  and  rarer  species  being  disposed  about  the  dwelling, 
and  the  more  hardy  and  common  sorts  along  the  walks, 
and  in  groups,  in  different  situations  near  the  eye. 

When,  however,  the  residence  is  of  larger  size,  and  the 
grounds  have  a  park-like  extent  and  character,  the  intro- 
duction of  shrubs  might  interfere  with  the  noble  and 
dignified  expression  of  lofty  full  grown  trees,  except 
perhaps  they  were  planted  here  and  there,  among  large 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


381 


groups,  as  underwood ;  or  if  cattle  or  sheep  were  allowed 
lo  graze  in  the  park,  it  would  of  course  be  impossible  to 
preserve  plantations  of  shrubs  there.  When  this  is  the 
case,  however,  a  portion  near  the  house  is  divided  from  the 
park  (by  a  wire  fence  or  some  inconspicuous  barrier)  for 
the  pleasure-ground,  where  the  shrubs  are  disposed  in  belts, 
groups,  etc.,  as  in  the  first  case  alluded  to. 

There  are  two  methods  of  grouping  shrubs  upon  lawns 
which  may  separately  be  considered,  in  combination  with 
beautiful  and  with  picturesque  scenery. 

In  the  first  case,  where  the  character  of  the  scene,  of 
the  plantations  of  trees,  etc.,  is  that  of  polished  beauty,  the 
belts  of  shrubs  may  be  arranged  similar  to  herbaceous 
flowering  plants,  in  arabesque  beds,  along  the  walks,  as  in 
Fig.  70,  page  372.  In  this  case,  the  shrubs  alone,  arranged 
with  relation  to  their  height,  may  occupy  the  beds ;  or  if 
preferred,  shrubs  and  flowers  may  be  intermingled.  Those 
who  have  seen  the  shrubbery  at  Hyde  Park,  the  residence 
of  the  late  Dr.  Hosack,  which  borders  the  walk  leading 
from  the  mansion  to  the  hot-houses,  will  be  able  to  recall 
a  fine  example  of  this  mode  of  mingling  woody  and 
herbaceous  plants.  The  belts  or  borders  occupied  by  the 
shrubbery  and  flower-garden  there,  are  perhaps  from  25  to 
35  feet  in  width,  completely  filled  with  a  collection  of 
shrubs  and  herbaceous  plants ;  the  smallest  of  the  latter 
being  quite  near  the  walk ;  these  succeeded  by  taller  species 
receding  from  the  front  of  the  border,  then  follow  shrubs 
of  moderate  size,  advancing  in  height  unti1  the  back- 
ground of  the  whole  is  a  rich  mass  of  tall  shrubs  and  trees 
of  moderate  size.  The  effect  of  this  belt  on  so  large  a 
scale,  in  high  keeping,  is  remarkably  striking  and  elegant. 

Where  picturesque  effect  is  the  object  aimed  at  in  the 


382 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


pleasure-grounds,  it  may  be  attained  in  another  way ;  thai 
is,  by  planting  irregular  groups  of  the  most  vigorous  and 
thrifty  growing  shrubs  in  lawn,  without  placing  them  in 
regular  dug  beds  or  belts  ;  but  instead  of  this,  keeping  the 
grass  from  growing  and  the  soil  somewhat  loose,  for  a  few 
inches  round  their  stems  (which  will  not  be  apparent  at  a 
short  distance).  In  the  case  of  many  of  the  hardier  shrubs, 
after  they  become  well  established,  even  this  care  will  not 
be  requisite,  and  the  grass  only  will  require  to  be  kept  short 
by  clipping  it  when  the  lawn  is  mown. 

As  in  picturesque  scenes  everything  depends  upon 
grouping  well,  it  will  be  found  that  shrubs  may  be  employed 
with  excellent  effect  in  connecting  single  trees,  or  finishing 
a  group  composed  of  large  trees,  or  giving  fulness  to  groups 
of  tall  trees  newly  planted  on  a  lawn,  or  effecting  a  union 
between  buildings  and  ground.  It  is  true  that  it  requires 
something  of  an  artist's  feeling  and  perception  of  the  pic- 
turesque to  do  these  successfully,  but  the  result  is  so  much 
the  more  pleasing  and  satisfactory  when  it  is  well  executed. 

When  walks  are  continued  from  the  house  through  dis- 
tant parts  of  the  pleasure-grounds,  groups  of  shrubs  may  be 
planted  along  their  margins,  here  and  there,  with  excellent 
effect.  They  do  not  shut  out  or  obstruct  the  view  like 
large  trees,  while  they  impart  an  interest  to  an  otherwise 
tame  and  spiritless  walk.  Placed  in  the  projecting  bay, 
round  which  the  walk  curves  so  as  to  appear  to  be  a  reason 
for  its  taking  that  direction,  they  conceal  also  the  portion 
of  the  walk  in  advance,  and  thus  enhance  the  interest 
doubly.  The  neighborhood  of  rustic  seats,  or  resting  points, 
are  also  fit  places  for  the  assemblage  of  a  group  or  groups 
of  shrubs. 

For  the  use  of  those  who  require  some  guide  in  the 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


383 


selection  of  species,  we  subjoin  the  accompanying  list  of 
hardy  and  showy  shrubs,  which  are  at  the  same  time  easily 
procured  in  the  United  States.  A  great  number  of  addi- 
tional species  and  varieties,  and  many  more  rare,  might  be 
enumerated,  but  such  will  be  sufficiently  familiar  to  the 
connoisseur  already  ;  and  what  we  have  said  respecting 
botanical  rarities  in  flowering  plants  may  be  applied  with 
equal  force  to  shrubs,  viz.  that  in  order  to  produce  a  bril- 
liant effect,  a  few  well  chosen  species,  often  repeated,  are 
more  effective  than  a  great  and  ill-assorted  melange. 

In  the  following  list,  the  shrubs  are  divided  into  two 
classes — No.  1  designating  those  of  medium  size,  or  low 
growth,  and  No.  2,  those  which  are  of  the  largest  size. 

Flowering  in  April. 

1.  Daphne  mezereum,  the  Pink  Mezereum,  D.  M.  album,  the  white 

Mezereum. 

2.  Shepherdia  argentea,  the  Buffalo  berry  ;  yellow. 

1.  Xanthorhiza  apiifolia,  the  parsley-leaved  Yellow-root ;  brown. 

1.  Cydonia  japonica,  the  Japan  Quince  ;  scarlet. 

1.  Cydonia  japonica  alba,  the  Japan  Quince  ;  white. 

2.  Amelanchier  Botryapium,  the  snowy  Medlar. 
1.  Ribes  aureum,  the  Missouri  Currant ;  yellow. 

1.  Coronilla  Emerus,  the  Scorpion  Senna  ;  yellow. 

2.  Magnolia  conspicua,  the  Chinese  chandelier  Magnolia  ;  white. 

May. 

2.  Crategus  oxycantha,  the  scarlet  Hawthorn. 

2.  Crategus  oxycantha,  ft.  pleno,  the  double  white  Hawthorn. 

2.  Chionanthus  virginica,  the  white  Fringe  tree. 

L  Chionanthus  latifolius,  the  broad-leaved  Fringe  tree  ;  white. 

I.  Azalea,  rrany  fine  varieties  ;  red,  white,  and  yellow. 

1.  Calycanthus  florida,  the  Sweet-scented-shrub  ;  brown. 

1.  Magnolia  purpurea,  the  Chinese  purple  Magnolia. 

2.  Halesia  tetraptera,  the  silver  Bell  tree  ;  white. 

2.  Syringa  vulgaris,  the  common  white  and  red  Lilacs. 

I.  Syringi  persica,  the  Persian  Lilac  :  white  and  purple. 


384 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


1.  Syringa  persica  laciniata,  the  Persian  cut-leaved  Lilac  ;  purple. 

1.  Kerria  or  Corchorus  japonica,  the  Japan  Globe  flower  ;  yellow. 

1.  Lonicera  tartarica,  the  Tartarian  upright  Honeysuckles  ;  red  and 
white. 

1.  Philadelphus  coronarius,  the  common  Syringo,  and  the  double 

Syringo  ;  white. 

1.  Spiraa  hypericifolia,  the  St.  Stephen's  wreath  ;  white. 

1.  Spir<ea  corymbosa,  the  cluster  flowering  Spirea  ;  white. 

1.  Riles  sanguineum,  the  scarlet  flowering  Currant. 

1.  Amy g dolus  pumila,  pi.,  the  double  dwarf  Almond  ;  pink. 

1.  Caragana  Chamlagu,  the  Siberian  Pea  tree  ;  yellow. 

2.  Magnolia  soulangeana,  the  Soulange  Magnolia  ;  purple. 

1.  Patonia  Moutan  banksia,  and  rosea,  the  Chinese  tree  Paeoniaa 
purple. 

I.  Benthamia  frugifera,  the  red  berried  Benthamia  ;  yellow. 
June. 

1.  Amorpha  fruticosa,  the  Indigo  Shrub  ;  purple. 

2.  Colutea  arborescens,  the  yellow  Bladder-senna. 
1.  Colutea  cruenta,  the  red  Bladder-senna. 

1.  Cytisus  capitatus,  the  cluster-flowered  Cytisus  ;  yellow. 

1.  Stuartia  virginica,  the  white  Stuartia. 

1.  Cornus  sanguinea,  the  bloody  twig  Dogwood  ;  white. 

1.  Hydrangea  quercifolia,  the  oak-leaved  Hydrangea  ;  white. 

2.  Philadelphus  grandiflorus,  the  large  flowering  Syringo  ;  white. 
2.  Viburnum  Opulus,  the  Snow-ball ;  white. 

2.  Magnolia  glauca,  the  swamp  Magnolia  ;  white. 

1.  Robinia  hispida,  the  Rose-acacia 


July. 

1.  Spircea  bella,  the  beautiful  Spirea;  red. 

2.  Sophora  japonica,  the  Japan  Sophora  ;  white. 

2.  Sophora  japonica  pendula,  the  weeping  Sophora  ;  white. 

2.  Rhus  Cotinus,  the  Venetian  Fringe  tree  ;  yellow.    (Brown  tufts.) 

1.  Ligustrum  vulgare,  the  common  Privet ;  white, 

2.  Cytisus  Laburnum,  the  Laburnum  ;  yellow. 

2.  Cytisus  I.  quercifolia,  the  oaked-leaved  Laburnum  ;  white. 

1.  Cytisus  purpureas,  the  purple  Laburnum. 

1.  Cytisus  argcnteus,  the  silvery  Cytisus  ;  yellow. 

1.  Cytisus  nigricans,  the  black  rooted  Cytisus  ;  yellow. 

2.  Kolreutrria  paniculata,  the  Japan  Kolreuteria  ;  yellow. 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


365 


August  and  September. 

1.    Clethra  alnifolia,  the  alder-leaved  Clethra  ;  white. 

1.  Symphoria  racemosa,  the  Snowberry  ;  (in  fruit)  white. 

2.  Jhbiscus  syriacus,  the  double  purple,  double  white,  double  striped 

double  blue,  and  variegated  leaved  Altheas. 

1.  Spir<za  tomentosa,  the  tomentose  Spirea  ;  red. 

2.  Magnolia    glauba    thompsoniana,   the  late  flowering   Magnolia ; 

white. 

1.  Baccharis  halimi folia,  the  Groundsel  tree  ;  white  tufts. 

2.  Euonymus  europcaus,  the  European  Strawberry  tree  (in  fruit),  red. 
2.    Euonymus  europceus  alba,  the  European  Strawberry  tree  ;  the  fruit 

white. 

2.    Euonymus  latifolius,  the  broad-leaved  Strawberry  tree  ;  red. 
1.    Daphne  mczercum  autumnalis,  the  autumnal  Mezereum. 

Besides  the  above,  there  are  a  great  number  of  charming 
varieties  of  hardy  roses,  some  of  which  may  be  grown  in 
the  common  way  on  their  own  roots,  and  others  grafted  on 
stocks,  two,  three,  or  four  feet  high,  as  standards  or  tree- 
roses.  The  effect  of  the  latter,  if  such  varieties  as  George 
the  Fourth,  La  Cerisette,  Pallagi,  or  any  of  the  new  hybrid 
roses  are  grown  as  standards,  is  wonderfully  brilliant  when 
they  are  in  full  bloom.  Perhaps  the  situation  where  they 
are  displayed  to  the  greatest  advantage  is,  in  the  centre  of 
small  round,  oval,  or  square  beds  in  the  flower-garden 
where  the  remainder  of  the  plants  composing  the  bed  are 
of  dwarfish  growth,  so  as  not  to  hide  the  stem  and  head  oy 
the  tree-roses. 

There  are,  unfortunately,  but  few  evergreen  shrubs  tha/ 

will  endure  the  protracted  cold  of  the  winters  of  the  north- 

ern  states.    The  fine  Hollies,  Portugal  Laurels,  Laurusti 

nuses,  etc.,  which  are  the  glory  of  English  gardens  in 

autumn  and  winter,  are  not  hardv  enough  to  endure  the 

depressed  temperature  of  ten  degrees  below  zero.  South 

of  Philadelphia,  these  beautiful  exotic  evergreens  may  be 

25 


3SG 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


acclimated  with  good  success,  and  will  add  greatly  to  the 
interest  of  the  shrubbery  and  grounds  in  winter. 

Besides  the  Balsam  firs  and  the  Spruce  firs,  the  Arboi 
Vitae,  and  other  evergreen  trees  which  we  have  described 
in  the  previous  pages  of  this  volume,  the  following  hardy 
species  of  evergreen  shrubs  may  be  introduced  with 
advantage  in  the  pleasure-ground  groups,  viz : — 

Rhododendron  maximum,  the  American  rose  bay  or  big  Laurel  ;  whit© 

and  pink,  several  varieties  (in  shaded  places). 
Kalmia  latifolia,  the  common  Laurel ;  several  colors. 
Juniperus  sticcia,  the  Swedish  Juniper. 
Juniperus  communis,  the  Irish  Juniper. 

Buxus  arborescens,  the  common  Tree-box,  the  Gold  striped  Tree-box, 

and  the  Silver  striped  Tree-box. 
Ilex  opaca,  the  American  Holly. 
Crategus  pyracantha,  the  Evergreen  Thorn. 
Mahonia  aquifolium,  the  Holly  leaved  Berberry. 

The  Conservatory  or  the  Green-House  is  an  elegant  and 
delightful  appendage  to  the  villa  or  mansion,  when  there  is 
a  taste  for  plants  among  the  different  members  of  a  family. 
Those  who  have  not  enjoyed  it,  can  hardly  imagine  the 
pleasure  afforded  by  a  well-chosen  collection  of  exotic 
plants,  which,  amid  the  genial  warmth  of  an  artificial 
climate,  continue  to  put  forth  their  lovely  blossoms,  and 
exhale  their  delicious  perfumes,  when  all  out-of-door  nature 
is  chill  and  desolate.  The  many  hours  of  pleasant  and 
healthy  exercise  and  recreation  afforded  to  the  ladies  of  a 
family,  where  they  take  an  interest  themselves  in  the 
growth  and  vigor  of  the  plants,  are  certainly  no  trifling 
considerations  where  the  country  residence  is  the  place  of 
habitation  throughout  the  whole  year.  Often  during  the 
inclemency  of  our  winter  and  spring  months,  there  are 
days  when  either  the  excessive  cold,  or  the  disagreeable 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


387 


state  of  the  weather,  prevents  in  a  great  measure  many 
persons,  and  especially  females,  from  taking  exercise  in 
the  open  air.  To  such,  the  conservatory  would  be  an 
almost  endless  source  of  enjoyment  and  amusement ;  and 
if  they  are  true  amateurs,  of  active  exertion  also.  The 
constant  changes  which  daily  growth  and  development 
bring  about  in  vegetable  forms,  the  interest  we  feel  in  the 
opening  of  a  favorite  cluster  of  buds,  or  the  progress  of  the 
thrifty  and  luxuriant  shoots  of  a  rare  plant,  are  such  as 
serve  most  effectually  to  prevent  an  occupation  of  this 
nature  from  ever  becoming  monotonous  or  ennuyant. 

The  difference  between  the  green-house  and  conserva- 
tory is,  that  in  the  former,  the  plants  are  all  kept  in  pots 
and  arranged  on  stages,  both  to  meet  the  eye  agreeably, 
and  for  more  convenient  growth  ;  while  in  the  conservatory, 
the  plants  are  grown  in  a  bed  or  border  of  soil  precisely  as 
in  the  open  air. 

When  either  of  these  plant  habitations  is  to  be  attached 
to  the  house,  the  preference  is  greatly  in  favor  of  the 
conservatory.  The  plants  being  allowed  more  room,  have 
richer  and  more  luxuriant  foliage,  and  grow  and  flower 
in  a  manner  altogether  superior  to  those  in  pots.  The 
allusion  to  nature  is  also  more  complete  in  the  case  of 
plants  growing  in  the  ground ;  and  from  the  objects  all 
being  on  the  same  level,  and  easily  accessible,  they  are 
with  more  facility  kept  in  that  perfect  nicety  and  order 
which  an  elegant  plant-house  should  always  exhibit. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  green-house  will  contain  by  far 
the  largest  number  of  plants,  and  the  same  may  be  more 
easily  changed  or  renewed  at  any  time ;  so  that  for  a 
"articular  taste,  as  that  of  a  botanical  amateur,  who  wishes 
to  grow  a  great  number  of  species  in  a  small  space,  the 


388 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


green-house  will  be  found  preferable.  Whenever  either 
the  conservatory  or  green-house  is  of  moderate  size,  and 
intended  solely  for  private  recreation,  we  would  in  every 
case,  when  such  a  thing  is  not  impossible,  have  it  attached 
to  the  house ;  communicating  by  a  glass  door  with  the 
drawing-room,  or  one  of  the  living  rooms.  Nothing  can 
be  more  gratifying  than  a  vista  in  winter  through  a  glass 
door  down  the  walk  of  a  conservatory,  bordered  and 
overhung  with  the  fine  forms  of  tropical  vegetation, 
golden  oranges  glowing  through  the  dark  green  foliage, 
and  gay  corollas  lighting  up  the  branches  of  Camellias:, 
and  other  floral  favorites.  Let  us  add  the  exulting  song  cf 
a  few  Canaries,  and  the  enchantment  is  complete.  How 
much  more  refined  and  elevated  is  the  taste  which  prefers 
such  accessories  to  a  dwelling,  rather  than  costly  furniture; 
or  an  extravagant  display  of  plate ! 

The  best  and  most  economical  form  for  a  conservatory 
is  a  parallelogram — the  deviation  from  a  square  being 
greater  or  less  according  to  circumstances.  When  it  is 
joined  to  the  dwelling  by  one  of  its  sides  (in  the  case  of 
the  parallelogram  form),  the  roof  need  only  slope  in  one 
way,  that  is  from  the  house.  When  one  of  the  ends  of  the 
conservatory  joins  the  dwelling,  the  roof  should  slope  both 
ways  from  the  centre.  The  advantage  of  the  junction  in 
the  former  case,  is,  that  less  outer  surface  of  the  conser- 
vatory being  exposed  to  the  cold,  viz.  only  a  side  and  two 
ends,  less  fuel  will  be  required  ;  the  advantage  in  the  latter 
case  is,  that  the  main  walk  leading  down  the  conserva- 
tory will  be  exactly  in  the  line  of  the  vista  from  the 
drawing-room  of  the  dwelling. 

It  is,  we  hope,  almost  unnecessary  to  state,  that  the  root 
of  a  conservatory,  or  indeed  any  other  house  where  plants 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


380 


are  to  be  well-grown,  must  be  glazed.  Opake  roofs 
prevent  the  admission  of  perpendicular  light,  without 
which  the  stems  of  vegetation  are  drawn  up  weak  and 
feeble,  and  are  attracted  in  an  unsightly  manner  towards 
the  glass  in  front.  When  the  conservatory  joins  the  house 
by  one  of  its  ends,  and  extends  out  from  the  building  to  a 
considerable  length,  the  effect  will  be  much  more  elegant ; 
and  the  plants  will  thrive  more  perfectly,  when  it  is  glazed 
on  all  of  the  three  sides,  so  as  to  admit  light  in  every 
direction. 

The  best  aspect  for  a  conservatory  is  directly  south ; 
southeast  and  southwest  are  scarcely  inferior.  Even  east 
and  west  exposures  will  do  very  well,  where  there  is  plenty 
of  glass  to  admit  light ;  for  though  our  winters  are  cold, 
yet  there  is  a  great  abundance  of  sun,  and  bright  clear 
atmosphere,  both  far  more  beneficial  to  plants  than  the 
moist,  foggy  vapor  of  an  English  winter,  which,  though 
mild,  is  comparatively  sunless.  When  the  conservatory 
adjoins  and  looks  into  the  flower-garden,  the  effect  will  be 
appropriate  and  pleasing. 

Some  few  hints  respecting  the  construction  of  a  con 
servatory  may  not  be  unacceptable  to  some  of  our  readers 
In  the  first  place,  the  roof  should  have  a  sufficient  slope  t( 
carry  off  the  rain  rapidly,  to  prevent  leakage ;  from  40  to 
45  degrees  is  found  to  be  the  best  inclination  in  our 
climate.  The  roof  should  by  no  means  be  glazed  with 
large  panes,  because  small  ones  have  much  greater 
strength,  which  is  requisite  to  withstand  tne  heavy 
weight  of  snow  that  often  falls  during  winter,  as  well  as 
to  resist  breakage  by  hail  storms  in  summer.  Four  or 
eight  inches  by  six,  is  the  best  size  for  roof-glass,  and  with 
this  size  the  lap  of  the  panes  need  not  be  greater  than  one* 


390 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


eighth  of  an  inch,  while  it  would  require  to  be  one-fourth 
of  an  inch,  were  the  panes  of  the  usual  size.  On  the  front 
and  sides,  the  sashes  may  be  handsome,  and  filled  in  with 
the  best  glass ;  even  plate  glass  has  been  used  in  many 
cases  to  our  knowledge  here. 

In  the  second  place,  some  thorough  provision  must 
be  made  for  warming  the  conservatory ;  and  it  is  by  far  the 
best  mode  to  have  the  apparatus  for  this  purpose  entirely 
independent  of  the  dwelling  house;  that  is  (though  the 
furnace  may  be  in  the  basement),  the  flues  and  fire  should 
be  intended  to  heat  the  conservatory  alone ;  for  although 
a  conservatory  may,  if  small,  be  heated  by  the  same  fire 
which  heats  the  kitchen  or  one  of  the  living  rooms,  it  is  a 
much  less  efficient  mode  of  attaining  this  object,  and 
renders  the  conservatory  more  or  less  liable  at  all  times 
to  be  too  hot  or  too  cold. 

The  common  square  flue,  the  sides  built  of  bricks,  and 
the  top  and  bottom  of  tiles  manufactured  for  that  purpose, 
is  one  of  the  oldest,  most  simple,  and  least  expensive 
methods  of  heating  in  use.  Latterly,  its  place  has  been 
supplied  by  hot  water  circulated  in  large  tubes  of  three 
or  four  inches  in  diameter  from  an  open  boiler,  and  by 
Perkins's  mode  as  it  is  called,  which  employs  small  pipes 
of  an  inch  in  diameter,  hermetically  sealed.  Economy 
of  fuel  and  in  the  time  requisite  in  attendance,  are  the 
chief  merits  of  the  hot  water  systems,  which,  however, 
have  the  great  additional  advantage  of  affording  a  more 
moist  and  genial  temperature. 

In  a  green-house,  the  flues,  or  hot  water  pipes,  may  be 
concealed  under  the  stage.  In  conservatories  they  should 
by  all  means  be  placed  out  of  sight  also.  To  effect  this, 
they  are   generally   conducted   into  a  narrow,  hollow 


Fig.  73. — The  Conservatory  and  Flower  Garden  at  Montgomery  Place. 


391 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


chamber,  under  the  walk,  which  has  perforated  sides  or  a 
grated  top,  to  permit  the  escape  of  heated  air.* 


[Fig.  74.   Villa  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  with  the  Conservatory  attached.] 


One  of  the  most  beautiful  conservatories  attached  to 
the  dwelling,  to  which  we  can  refer  our  readers,  for  an 
example,  is  one  built  by  J.  W.  Perry,  Esq.,  Brooklyn,  near 
New  York  (Fig.  74),  forming  the  left  wing  of  this  elegant 
villa.  Among  the  most  magnificent  detached  conserva- 
tories are  those  of  J.  P.  Cushing,  Esq.,  at  his  elegant  seat, 
Belmont  Place,  Watertown,  near  Boston ;  and  that  at 
Montgomery  Place,  the  seat  of  Mrs.  Edward  Livingston, 
on  the  Hudson,  Fig.  73. 

A  conservatory  is  frequently  made  an  addition  to  a 
rectangular  Grecian  villa,  as  one  of  its  wings — the  other 
being  a  living  or  bed-room.  The  more  varied  and 
irregular  outline  of  Gothic  buildings  enables  them  to 
receive  an  appendage  of  this  nature  with  more  facility 
in  almost  any  direction,  where  the  aspect  is  suitable. 

*  The  circulation  of  warm  air  is  greatly  accelerated  when  an  opening 
through  the  outer  air  is  permitted  to  enter  the  hot  air  passage,  thus  becoming 
heated  and  passing  into  the  conservatory. 


392 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Whatever  be  the  style  of  the  architecture  of  the  house, 
that  of  the  conservatory  should  in  every  case  conform 
to  it,  and  evince  a  degree  of  enrichment  according  with 
that  of  the  main  building. 

Though  a  conservatory  is  often  made  an  expensive 
luxury,  attached  only  to  the  better  class  of  residences,  there 
is  no  reason  why  cottages  of  more  humble  character 
should  not  have  the  same  source  of  enjoyment  on  a  more 
moderate  scale.  A  small  green-house,  or  plant  cabinet,  as 
it  is  sometimes  called,  eight  or  ten  feet  square,  communi- 
cating with  the  parlor,  and  constructed  in  a  simple  style, 
may  be  erected  and  kept  up  in  such  a  manner,  as  to  be  a 
source  of  much  pleasure,  for  a  comparatively  trifling  sum  ; 
and  we  hope  soon  to  see  in  this  country,  where  the  com- 
forts of  life  are  more  equally  distributed  than  in  any  other, 
the  taste  for  enjoyments  of  this  kind  extending  itself  with 
the  means  for  realizing  them,  into  every  portion  of  the 
northern  and  middle  States. 

Open  and  covered  seats,  of  various  descriptions,  are 
among  the  most  convenient  and  useful  decorations  for  the 
pleasure-grounds  of  a  country  residence.  Situated  in  por- 
tions of  the  lawn  or  park,  somewhat  distant  from  the 
house,  they  offer  an  agreeable  place  for  rest  or  repose.  If 
there  are  certain  points  from  which  are  obtained  agreeable 
prospects  or  extensive  views  of  the  surrounding  country,  a 
seat,  by  designating  those  points,  and  by  affording  us  a 
convenient  mode  of  enjoying  them,  has  a  double  recom- 
mendation to  our  minds. 

Open  and  covered  seats  are  of  two  distinct  kinds  ;  one 
architectural,  or  formed  after  artist-like  designs,  of  stone 
or  wood,  in  Grecian,  Gothic,  or  other  forms  ;  which  may, 
if  they  are  intended  to  produce  an  elegant  effect,  have 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


393 


vases  on  pedestals  as  accompaniments  ;  the  other,  rustic 
as  they  are  called,  which  are  formed  out  of  trunks  ana 
branches  of  trees,  roots,  etc.,  in  their  natural  forms. 

There  are  particular  sites  where  each  of  these  kinds  of 
seats,  or  structures,  is,  in  good  taste,  alone  admissible.  In 
the  proximity  of  elegant  and  decorated  buildings  where  all 
around  has  a  polished  air,  it  would  evidently  be  doing 
violence  to  our  feelings  and  sense  of  propriety  to  admit 
many  rustic  seats  and  structures  of  any  kind ;  but  archi- 
tectural decorations  and  architectural  seats  are  there 
correctly  introduced.  For  the  same  reason,  also,  as  we 
have  already  suggested,  thai  the  sculptured  forms  of  vases, 
etc.,  would  be  out  of  keeping  in  scenes  where  nature  is 
predominant  (as  the  distant  wooded  parts  or  walks  of  a 
residence),  architectural,  or,  in  other  words,  highly  arti- 
ficial seats,  would  not  be  in  character  :  but  rustic  seats 
and  structures,  which,  from  the  nature  of  the  materials 
employed  and  the  simple  manner  of  their  construction, 
appear  but  one  remove  from  natural  forms,  are  felt  at  once 
to  be  in  unison  with  the  surrounding  objects.  Again,  the 
mural  and  highly  artistical  vase  and  statue,  most  properly 
accompany  the  beautiful  landscape  garden  ;  while  rustic 
baskets,  or  vases,  are  the  most  fitting  decorations  of  the 
Picturesque  Landscape  Garden. 

The  simplest  variety  of  covered  architectural  seat  is  the 
latticed  arbor  for  vines  of  various  descriptions,  with  the 
seat  underneath  the  canopy  of  foliage  ;  this  may  with 
more  propriety  be  introduced  in  various  parts  of  the 
grounds  than  any  other  of  its  class,  as  the  luxurianre  and 
natural  gracefulness  of  the  foliage  which  covers  the  arbor, 
in  a  great  measure  destroys  or  overpowers  the  expression 
of  its  original  form.     Lattice  arbors,  however,  neatly 


39-4 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


formed  of  rough  poles  and  posts,  are  much  more  pictu- 
resque and  suitable  for  wilder  portions  of  the  scenery. 

The   temple  and  the  pavilion  are  highly 
\  finished  forms  of  covered  seats,  which  are 


^r^-^^  occasionally   introduced   in   splendid  places, 
[Fig-  Tf]     where  classic  architecture  prevails.    There  is 
a  circular  pavilion  of  this  kind  at  the  termination  of  one 
of  the  walks  at  Mr.  Langdon's  residence,  Hyde  Park. 
Fig.  75. 

We  consider  rustic  seats  and  structures  as  likely  to  be 
much  preferred  in  the  villa  and  cottage  residences  of  the 
country.  They  have  the  merit  of  being  tasteful  and  pic- 
turesque in  their  appearance,  and  are  easily  constructed 
by  the  amateur,  at  comparatively  little  or  no  expense. 

There  is  scarcely  a  prettier  or  more 
pleasant  object  for  the  termination  of  a 
^FigT^/T"  l°ng  walk  in  the  pleasure-grounds  or  park, 
than  a  neatly  thatched  structure  of  rustic  work,  with  its 
seat  for  repose,  and  a  view  of  the  landscape  beyond.  On 
finding  such  an  object,  we  are  never  tempted  to  think  that 
there  has  been  a  lavish  expenditure  to  serve  a  trifling 
purpose,  but  are  gratified  to  see  the  exercise  of  taste  and 
ingenuity,  which  completely  answers  the  end  in  view. 

Figure  76  is  an  example  of  a  simple  rustic 
seat  formed  of  the  crooked  and  curved  branches 
of  the  oak,  elm,  or  any  other  of  our  forest  trees 
[Fig.  77.]     -pigt  77  is  a  seat  of  the  same  character,  made 
at  the  foot  of  a  tree,  whose  overhanging  branches  afford  a 
fine  shade. 

Figure  78  is  a  covered  seat  or  rustic  arbor,  with  a 
thatched  roof  of  straw.  Twelve  posts  are  set  securely  in 
the  ground,  which  make  the  frame  of  this  structure,  the 


EMBELLISHMENTS.  89f) 


[Fig.  78.1 


openings  between  being  filled  in  with  branches  (aboul 
three  inches  in  diameter)  of  different  trees — the  more 
irregular  the  better,  so  that  the  perpendicular  surface  of 
the  exterior  and  interior  is  kept  nearly  equal.  In  lieu  of 
thatch,  the  roof  may  be  first  tightly  boarded,  and  then  a 
covering  of  bark  or  the  slabs  of  trees  with  the  bark  on, 
overlaid  and  nailed  on.  The  figure  represents  the  struc- 
ture as  formed  round  a  tree.  For  the  sake  of  variety  this 
might  be  omitted,  the  roof  formed  of  an  open  lattice  work 
of  branches  like  the  sides,  and  the  whole  covered  by  a 
grape,  bignonia,  or  some  other  vine  or  creeper  of  luxuriant 
growth.    The  seats  are  in  the  interior. 

Figure  79  represents  a  covered  seat  of  another  kind. 


The  central  structure,  which  is  circular,  is 
intended  for  a  collection  of  minerals,  shells, 
or  any  other  curious  objects  for  which  an 
amateur  might  have  a  penchant.  Geo- 


|Tig-  T9.]  logical  or  mineralogical  specimens  of  the 
adjacent  neighborhood,  would  be  very  proper  for  such  a 
cabinet.  The  seat  surrounds  it  on  the  outside,  over  which 
is  a  thatched  roof  or  veranda,  supported  on  rustic  pillars 
formed  of  the  trunks  of  saplings,  with  the  bark  attached. 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Many  of  the  English  country  places  abound  with 
admirable  specimens  of  rustic  work  in  their  parks  and 
pleasure-grounds.  White  Knight's,  in  particular,  a  resi- 
dence of  the  Duke  of  Marlborough,  has  a  number  of 
beautiful  structures  of  this  kind.    Figure  80  is  a  view  of  a 


[Fig.  80.   Rustic  Covered  Seat.] 


round  seat  with  thatched  roof,  in  that  demesne.  Three  01 
four  rustic  pillars  support  the  architrave,  and  the  whole  of 
the  exterior  and  interior  (being  first  formed  of  frame- 
work) is  covered  with  straight  branches  of  the  maple  and 
larch.  The  seat  on  the  interior  looks  upon  a  fine  prospect ; 
and  the  seat  on  the  back  of  the  exterior  fronts  the  park. 

There  is  no  limit  to  the  variety  of  forms  and  patterns  in 
which  these  rustic  seats,  arbors,  summer-houses,  etc.,  can 
be  constructed  by  an  artist  of  some  fancy  and  ingenuity. 
After  the  frame-work  of  the  structure  is  formed  of  posts 
and  rough  boards,  if  small  straight  rods  about  an  inch  in 
diameter,  of  hazel,  white  birch,  maple,  etc.,  are  selected  in 
sufficient  quantity,  they  may  be  nailed  on  in  squares, 
diamonds,  medallions,  or  other  patterns,  and  have  the  effect 
of  a  mosaic  of  wood. 

Among  the  curious  results  of  this  fancy  for  rustic  work, 
we  may  mention  the  moss-house — erected  in  several  places 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


39? 


abroad.  The  skeleton  or  frame-work  of  the  arbor  or  house 
is  formed  as  we  have  just  stated ;  over  this  small  rods  halt 
an  inch  in  diameter  are  nailed,  about  an  inch  from  centre 
to  centre  ;  after  the  whole  surface  is  covered  with  this  sort 
of  rustic  lathing,  a  quantity  of  the  softer  wood-moss  of 
different  colors  is  collected  ;  and  taking  small  parcels  in 
the  hand  at  a  time,  the  tops  being  evenly  arranged,  the 
bottoms  or  roots  are  crowded  closely  between  the  rods  with 
a  small  wooden  wedge.  When  this  is  done  with  some 
little  skill,  the  tufted  ends  spread  out  and  cover  the  rods 
entirely,  showing  a  smooth  surface  of  mosses  of  different 
colors,  which  has  an  effect  not  unlike  that  of  a  thick 
Brussels  carpet. 

The  mosses  retain  their  color  for  a  great  length  of  time, 
and  when  properly  rammed  in  with  the  wedge,  they  cannot 
be  pulled  out  again  without  breaking  their  tops.  The 
prettiest  example  which  we  have  seen  of  a  handsome 
moss-house  in  this  country,  is  at  the  residence  of  Wm,  H. 
Aspinwall,  Esq.,  on  Staten  Island. 

A  prospect  tower  is  a  most  desirable  and  pleasant 
structure  in  certain  residences.  Where  the  view  is  com- 
paratively limited  from  the  grounds,  on  account  of  their 
surface  being  level,  or  nearly  so,  it  often  happens  that  the 
spectator,  by  being  raised  some  twenty-five  or  thirty  feet 
above  the  surface,  finds  himself  in  a  totally  different 
position,  whence  a  charming  coup  d'ceil  or  bird's-eye  view 
of  the  surrounding  country  is  obtained. 

Those  of  our  readers  who  may  have  visited  the  de- 
lightful garden  and  grounds  of  M.  Parmentier,  near 
Brooklyn,  some  naif  a  dozen  years  since,  during  the  life- 
time of  that  amiable  and  zealous  amateur  of  horticulture; 
will  readily  remember  the  rustic  prospect-arbor,  or  tower 


308 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Fig.  81,  which  was  situated  at  the  extre- 
mity of  his  place.  It  was  one  of  the 
first  pieces  of  rustic  work  of  any  size, 
and  displaying  any  ingenuity,  that  w< 
remember  to  have  seen  here  ;  and  fron 
its  summit,  though  the  garden  walks  afforded  no  prospect 
a  beautiful  reach  of  the  neighborhood  for  many  miles  was 
enjoyed. 

Figure  82  is  a  design  for  a  rustic  prospect  tower  of  three 
stories  in  height,  with  a  double  thatched 
roof.  It  is  formed  of  rustic  pillars  or  columns, 
which  are  well  fixed  in  the  ground,  and  which 
are  filled  in  with  a  fanciful  lattice  of  rustic 
branches.    A  spiral  staircase  winds  round 
[Fig.  82.]      the  interior  of  the  platform  of  the  second 
and  upper  stories,  where  there  are  seats  under  the  open 
thatched  roof. 

On  aferme  ornee,  where  the  proprietor  desires  to  give  a 
picturesque  appearance  to  the  different  appendages  of  the 
place,  rustic  work  offers  an  easy  and  convenient  method 
of  attaining  this  end.  The  dairy  is  sometimes  made  a 
detached  building,  and  in  this  country  it  may  be  built  of 
logs  in  a  tasteful  manner  with  a  thatched  roof;  the  interioi 
being  studded,  lathed,  and  plastered  in  the  usual  way.  Or 
the  ice-house,  which  generally  shows  but  a  rough  gable  and 
ridge  roof  rising  out  of  the  ground,  might  be  covered  with 
a  neat  structure  in  rustic  work,  overgrown  with  vines, 
which  would  give  it  a  pleasing  or  picturesque  air,  instead 
of  leaving  it,  as  at  present,  an  unsightly  object  which  we 
are  anxious  to  conceal. 

A  species  of  useful  decoration,  which  is  perhaps  more 
naturally  suggested  than  any  other,  is  the  bridge.  Where 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


399 


a  constant  stream,  of  greater  or  less  size,  runs  through  the 
grounds,  and  divides  the  banks  on  opposite  sides,  a  bridge 
of  some  description,  if  it  is  only  a  narrow  plank  over  a 
rivulet,  is  highly  necessary.  In  pieces  of  artificial  water 
that  are  irregular  in  outline,  a  narrow  strait  is  often  pur- 
posely made,  with  the  view  of  introducing  a  bridge  for 
effect. 

When  the  stream  is  large  and  bold,  a  handsome  archi- 
tectural bridge  of  stone  or  timber  is  by  far  the  most  suitable  ; 
especially  if  the  stream  is  near  the  house,  or  if  it  is  crossed 
on  the  Approach  road  to  the  mansion  ;  because  a  character 
of  permanence  and  solidity  is  requisite  in  such  cases.  But 
when  it  is  only  a  winding  rivulet  or  crystal  brook,  which 
meanders  along  beneath  the  shadow  of  tufts  of  clustering 
foliage  of  the  pleasure-ground  or  park,  a  rustic  bridge  may 

i\  ^e  Drought  in  with  the  happiest  effect. 

Mjg^as^^^^^        ^  ls  a  mst*c  bridge  erected  under 
^S^^^^^Stlt  our  direction.    The  foundation  is  made 
[Fig.  s3.j  by  laying  down  a  few  large  square 

stones  beneath  the  surface  on  both  sides  of  the  stream  to 
be  spanned ;  upon  these  are  stretched  two  round  posts  or 
sleepers  with  the  bark  on,  about  eight  or  ten  inches  in 
diameter.  The  rustic  hand-rail  is  framed  into  these  two 
sleepers.  The  floor  of  the  bridge  is  made  by  laying  down 
small  posts  of  equal  size,  about  four  or  six  inches  in  diame- 
ter, crosswise  upon  the  sleepers,  and  nailing  them  down 
securely.  The  bark  is  allowed  to  remain  on  in  every 
piece  of  wood  employed  in  the  construction  cf  this  little 
bridge ;  and  when  the  wood  is  cut  at  the  proper  season 
(durable  kinds  being  chosen),  such  a  bridge,  well  made 
will  remain  in  excellent  order  for  many  years. 

Rockwork  is  another  kind  of  decoration  sometimes  intro- 


400 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


duced  in  particular  portions  of  the  scenery  of  a  residence 
Fig.  84.  When  well  executed,  that  is,  so  as  to  have  a 
natural  and  harmonious  expression,  the  effect  is  highly 
pleasing.    We  have  seen,  however,  in  places  where  a  higb 


[Fig.  84.  Rockwork.J 


keeping  and  good  taste  otherwise  prevailed,  such  a  barba- 
rous melange,  or  confused  pile  of  stones  mingled  with  soil, 
and  planted  over  with  dwarfish  plants  dignified  with  the 
name  of  rock  work,  that  we  have  been  led  to  believe  that  it  is 
much  better  to  attempt  nothing  of  the  kind,  unless  there  i* 
a  suitable  place  for  its  display,  and  at  the  same  time,  the 
person  attempting  it  is  sufficiently  an  artist,  imbued  with 
the  spirit  of  nature  in  her  various  compositions  and  com- 
binations, to  be  able  to  produce  something  higher  than  a 
caricature  of  her  works. 

The  object  of  rockworh  is  to  produce  in  scenery  or  por- 
tions of  a  scene,  naturally  in  a  great  measure  destitute 
of  groups  of  rocks  and  their  accompanying  drapery  of 
plants  and  foliage,  something  of  the  picturesque  effect  which 
such  natural  assemblages  confer.  To  succeed  in  this,  it  is 
evident  that  we  must  not  heap  up  little  hillocks  of  mould 


I 

EMBELLISHMENTS. 


401 


and  smooth  stones,  in  the  midst  of  an  open  lawn,  or  the 
centre  of  a  flower-garden.  But  if  we  can  make  choice  of 
a  situation  where  a  rocky  bank  or  knoll  already  partially 
exists,  or  would  be  in  keeping  with  the  form  of  the  ground 
and  the  character  of  the  scene,  then  we  may  introduce 
such  accompaniments  with  the  best  possible  hope  of 
success. 

It  often  happens  in  a  place  of  considerable  extent,  that 
somewhere  in  conducting  the  walks  through  the  grounds, 
we  meet  with  a  ridge  with  a  small  rocky  face,  or  perhaps 
with  a  large  rugged  single  rock,  or  a  bank  where  rocky 
summits  just  protrude  themselves  through  the  surface.  The 
common  feeling  against  such  uncouth  objects,  would  direct 
them  to  be  cleared  away  at  once  out  of  sight.  But  let  us 
take  the  case  of  the  large  rugged  rock,  and  commence  our 
picturesque  operations  upon  it.  We  will  begin  by  collect- 
ing from  some  rocky  hill  or  valley  in  the  neighborhood  oi 
the  estate,  a  sufficient  quantity  of  rugged  rocks,  in  size 
from  a  few  pounds  to  half  a  ton  or  more,  if  necessary,  pre- 
ferring always  such  as  are  already  coated  with  mosses  and 
lichens.  These  we  will  assemble  around  the  base  of  a  large 
rock,  in  an  irregular  somewhat  pyramidal  group,  bedding 
them  sometimes  partially,  sometimes  almost  entirely  in  soil 
heaped  in  irregular  piles  around  the  rock.  The  rocks 
must  be  arranged  in  a  natural  manner,  avoiding  all  regu- 
larity and  appearance  of  formal  art,  but  placing  them 
sometimes  in  groups  of  half  a  dozen  together,  overhanging 
each  other,  and  sometimes  half  bedded  in  the  soil,  and  a 
little  distance  apart.  There  are  no  rules  to  be  given  foi 
such  operations,  but  the  study  of  natural  groups,  of  a 
character  similar  to  that  which  we  wish  to  produce,  will 

afford  sufficient  hints  if  the  artist  is 

26 


402 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


"  Prodigue  de  genie," 

and  has  a  perception  of  the  natural  beauty  which  he 
desires  to  imitate. 

The  rockwork  once  formed,  choice  trailing,  creeping,  and 
alpine  plants,  such  as  delight  naturally  in  similar  situations, 
may  be  planted  in  the  soil  which  fills  the  interstices  between 
the  rocks :  when  these  grow  to  fill  their  proper  places, 
partly  concealing  and  adorning  the  rocks  with  their  neat 
green  foliage  and  pretty  blossoms,  the  effect  of  the  whole, 
if  properly  done,  will  be  like  some  exquisite  portion  of  a 
rocky  bank  in  wild  scenery,  and  will  be  found  to  give  an 
air  at  once  striking  and  picturesque  to  the  little  scene 
where  it  is  situated. 

In  small  places  where  the  grounds  are  extremely  limited, 
and  the  owner  wishes  to  form  a  rockwork  for  the  growth 
of  alpine  and  other  similar  plants,  if  there  are  no  natural 
indications  of  a  rocky  surface,  a  rockwork  may  sometimes 
be  introduced  without  violating  good  taste  by  preparing 
natural  indications  artificially,  if  we  may  use  such  a  term. 
If  a  few  of  the  rocks  to  be  employed  in  the  rockwork  are 
sunk  half  or  three-fourths  their  depth  in  the  soil  near  the 
site  of  the  proposed  rockwork,  so  as  to  have  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  rocky  ridge  just  cropping  out,  as  the 
geologists  say,  then  the  rockwork  will,  to  the  eye  of  a 
spectator,  seem  to  be  connected  with,  and  growing  out  of 
this  rocky  spur  or  ridge  below :  or,  in  other  words,  there 
will  be  an  obvious  reason  for  its  being  situated  there, 
instead  of  its  presenting  a  wholly  artificial  appearance. 

In  a  previous  page,  when  treating  of  the  banks  of  pieces 
of  water  formed  by  art,  we  endeavored  tp  show  how  the 
natural  appearance  of  such  banks  would  be  improved  by 
the  judicious  introduction  of  rocks  partially  imbedded  into 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


403 


and  holding  them  up.  Such  situations,  in  the  case  of  a 
small  lake  or  pond,  or  a  brook,  are  admirable  sites  for  rock- 
work.  Where  the  materials  of  a  suitable  kind  are 
abundant,  and  tasteful  ingenuity  is  not  wanting,  surprising 
effects  may  be  produced  in  a  small  space.  Caves  and 
grottoes,  where  ferns  and  mosses  would  thrive  admirably 
with  the  gentle  drip  from  the  roof,  might  be  made  of  the 
overarching  rocks  arranged  so  as  to  appear  like  small 
natural  caverns.  Let  the  exterior  be  partially  planted  with 
low  shrubs  and  climbing  plants,  as  the  wild  Clematis,  and 
the  effect  of  such  bits  of  landscape  could  not  but  be 
agreeable  in  secluded  portions  of  the  grounds. 

In  many  parts  of  the  country,  the  secondary  blue 
limestone  abounds,  which,  in  the  small  masses  found  loose 
in  the  woods,  covered  with  mosses  and  ferns,  affords  the 
very  finest  material  for  artificial  rockwork.* 

After  all,  much  the  safest  way  is  never  to  introduce 
rockwork  of  any  description,  unless  we  feel  certain  that  it 
will  have  a  good  effect.  When  a  place  is  naturally 
picturesque,  and  abounds  here  and  there  with  rocky  banks, 
etc.,  little  should  be  done  but  to  heighten  and  aid  the 
expressions  of  these,  if  they  are  wanting  in  spirit,  by 
adding  something  more  ;  or  softening  and  giving  elegance 
to  the  expression,  if  too  wild,  by  planting  the  same  with 

*  Our  readers  may  see  an  engraving  and  description  of  a  superb  extravaganza 
in  rockwork  in  a  late  number  of  Loudon's  Gardener's  Magazine.  Lady 
Broughton,  of  Hoole  House,  Chester,  England,  has  succeeded  in  forming, 
round  a  natural  valley,  an  imitation  of  the  hills,  glaciers,  and  scenery  of  a 
passage  in  Switzerland.  The  whole  is  done  in  rockwork,  the  snow-covered 
summits  being  represented  in  white  spar.  The  appropriate  plants,  trees,  and 
shrubs  on  a  small  scale,  are  introduced,  and  the  illusion,  to  a  spectator  standing 
m  the  valley  surrounded  by  these  glaciers,  is  said  to  be  wonderfully  striking 
and  complete. 

30 


404 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


beautiful  shrubs  and  climbers.  On  a  tame  sandy  level, 
where  rocks  of  any  kind  are  unknown,  their  introduction 
in  rockworks,  nine  times  in  ten,  is  more  likely  to  give  rise 
to  emotions  of  the  ridiculous,  than  those  of  the  sublime  or 
picturesque. 

Fountains  are  highly  elegant  garden  decorations,  rarely 
seen  in  this  country ;  which  is  owing,  not  so  much,  we 
apprehend,  to  any  great  cost  incurred  in  putting  them  up. 
or  any  want  of  appreciation  of  their  sparkling  and 
enlivening  effect  in  garden  scenery,  as  to  the  fact  that  there 
are  few  artisans  here,  as  abroad,  whose  business  it  is  to 
construct  and  fit  up  architectural,  and  other  jets  oVeau. 

The  first  requisite,  where  a  fountain  is  a  desideratum,  is 
a  constant  supply  of  water,  either  from  a  natural  source 
or  an  artificial  reservoir,  some  distance  higher  than  the 
level  of  the  surface  whence  the  jet  or  fountain  is  to  rise. 


[Fig.  85.   Design  fur  a  Fountain.] 


Where  there  is  a  pond,  or  other  body  of  water,  on  a  higher 
level  than  the  proposed  fountain,  it  is  only  necessary  to  lay 
pipes  under  the  surface  to  conduct  the  supply  of  water  to 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


405 


the  required  spot ;  but  where  there  is  no  such  head  of  water; 
the  latter  must  be  provided  from  a  reservoir  artificially 
prepared,  and  kept  constantly  full. 

There  are  two  very  simple  and  cheap  modes  of  effecting 
this,  which  we  shall  lay  before  our  readers,  and  one  or  the 
other  of  which  may  be  adopted  in  almost  every  locality. 
The  first  is  to  provide  a  large  flat  cistern  of  sufficient  size, 
which  is  to  be  placed  under  the  roof  in  the  uppur  story  of 
one  of  the  outbuildings,  the  carriage-house  for  example, 
and  receive  its  supplies  from  the  water  collected  on  the 
roof  of  the  building ;  the  amount  of  water  collected  in  this 
way  from  a  roof  of  moderate  size  being  much  more  than 
is  generally  supposed.  The  second  is  to  sink  a  well  of 
capacious  size  (where  such  is  not  already  at  command) 
in  some  part  of  the  grounds  where  it  will  not  be  con- 
spicuous, and  over  it  to  erect  a  small  tower,  the  top  of 
which  shall  contain  a  cistern  and  a  small  horizontal  wind- 
mill ;  which  being  kept  in  motion  by  the  wind  more  or  less 
almost  every  day  in  summer,  will  raise  a  sufficient  quantity 
of  water  to  keep  the  reservoir  supplied  from  the  well 
below.  In  either  of  these  cases,  it  is  only  necessary  to 
carry  leaden  pipes  from  the  cistern  (under  the  surface, 
below  the  reach  of  frost)  to  the  place  where  the  jet  is  to 
issue ;  the  supply  in  both  these  cases  will,  if  properly 
arranged,  be  more  than  enough  for  the  consumption  of  the 
fountain  during  the  hours  when  it  will  be  necessary  for  it 
to  play,  viz.  from  sunrise  to  evening. 

The  steam-engine  is  often  employed  to  force  up  water 
for  the  supply  of  fountains  in  many  of  the  large  public  and 
royal  gardens  ;  but  there  are  few  cases  in  this  country 
where  private  expenditures  of  this  kind  would  be  justifiable* 

But  where  a  small  stream,  or  even  the  overflow  of  a 


406 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


perpetual  spring,  can  be  commanded,  the  Hydraulic  Ram 
is  the  most  perfect  as  well  as  the  simplest  and  cheapest 
of  all  modes  of  raising  water.  A  supply  pipe  of  an  inch 
in  diameter  is  in  many  cases  sufficient  to  work  the  Ram 
and  force  water  to  a  great  distance ;  and  where  sufficient 
to  fill  a  "driving  pipe"  of  two  inches  diameter  can  be 
commanded,  a  large  reservoir  may  be  kept  constantly 
filled.  As  the  Hydraulic  Ram  is  now  for  sale  in  all  our 
cities  we  need  not  explain  its  action. 

"  In  conducting  the  water  from  the  cistern  or  reservoir 
to  the  jet  or  fountain,  the  following  particulars  require  to 
be  attended  to  :  In  the  first  place,  all  the  pipes  must  be 
laid  sufficiently  deep  in  the  earth,  or  otherwise  placed  and 
protected  so  as  to  prevent  the  possibility  of  their  being 
reached  by  frost ;  next,  as  a  general  rule,  the  diameter  of 
the  orifice  from  which  the  jet  of  water  proceeds,  tech- 
nically called  the  bore  of  the  quill,  ought  to  be  four  times 
less  than  the  bore  of  the  conduit  pipe ;  that  is,  the  quill 
and  the  pipe  ought  to  be  in  a  quadruple  proportion  to 
each  other.  There  are  several  sorts  of  quills  or  spouts, 
which  throw  the  water  up  or  down,  into  a  variety  of 
forms  :  such  as  fans,  parasols,  sheaves,  showers,  mushrooms, 
inverted  bells,  etc.  The  larger  the  conduit  pipes  are,  the 
more  freely  will  the  jets  display  their  different  forms ;  and 
the  fewer  the  holes  in  the  quill  or  jet  (for  sometimes  this  is 
pierced  like  the  rose  of  a  watering  pot)  the  greater 
certainty  there  will  be  of  the  form  continuing  the  same; 
because  the  risk  of  any  of  the  holes  choking  up  will  be 
less.  The  diameter  of  a  conduit  pipe  ought  in  no  case 
to  be  less  than  one  inch ;  but  for  jets  of  very  large  size, 
the  diameter  ought  to  be  two  inches.  Where  the  conduit 
pipes  are  of  great  length,  say  upwards  of  1000  feet,  it  is 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


407 


found  advantageous  to  begin,  at  the  reservoir  or  cistern 
with  pipes  of  a  diameter  somewhat  greater  than  those 
which  deliver  the  water  to  the  quills,  because  the  water,  in 
a  pipe  of  uniform  diameter  of  so  great  a  length,  is  found 
to  lose  much  of  its  strength,  and  become  what  is  tech 
nically  called  sleepy  :  while  the  different  sizes  quicken  it, 
and  redouble  its  force.  For  example,  in  a  conduit  pipe  of 
1800  feet  in  length,  the  first  six  hundred  feet  may  belaid 
with  pipes  of  eight  inches  in  diameter,  the  next  600  feet 
with  pipes  of  six  inches  in  diameter,  and  the  last  600  feet 
with  pipes  of  four  inches  in  diameter.  In  conduits  not 
exceeding  900  feet,  the  same  diameter  may  be  continued 
throughout.  When  several  jets  are  to  play  in  several 
fountains,  or  in  the  same,  it  is  not  necessary  to  lay  a  fresh 
pipe  from  each  jet  to  the  reservoir  ;  a  main  of  sufficient 
size,  with  branch  pipes  to  each  jet,  being  all  that  is  required. 
Where  the  conduit  pipe  enters  the  reservoir  or  cistern,  it 
ought  to  be  of  increased  diameter,  and  the  grating  placed 
over  it  to  keep  out  leaves  and  other  matters  which  might 
choke  it  up,  ought  to  be  semi-globular  or  conical ;  so  that 
the  area  of  the  number  of  holes  in  it  may  exceed  the 
area  of  the  orifice  of  the  conduit  pipe.  The  object  is  to 
prevent  any  diminution  of  pressure  from  the  body  of 
water  in  the  cistern,  and  to  facilitate  the  flow  of  the 
water.  Where  the  conduit  pipe  joins  the  fountain,  there, 
of  course,  ought  to  be  a  cock  for  turning  the  water  off  and 
on ;  and  particular  care  must  be  taken  that  as  much  water 
may  pass  through  the  oval  hole  of  this  cock  as  passes 
through  the  circular  hole  of  the  pipe.  In  conduit  pipes,  all 
elbows,  bendings,  and  right  angles  should  be  avoided  as 
much  as  possible,  since  the}r  diminish  the  force  of  the 
water.    In  very  long  conduit  pipes,  air-holes  formed  by 


408 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


soldering  on  upright  pieces  of  pipe,  terminating  in  inverted 
valves  or  suckers,  should  be  made  at  convenient  distances, 
and  protected  by  shafts  built  of  stone  or  brick,  and  covered 
with  movable  gratings,  in  order  to  let  out  the  air.  Where 
pipes  ascend  and  descend  on  very  irregular  surfaces, 
the  strain  on  the  lowest  parts  of  the  pipe  is  always  the 
greatest;  unless  care  is  taken  to  relieve  this  by  the 
judicious  disposition  of  cocks  and  air-holes.  Without  this 
precaution,  pipes  conducted  over  irregular  surfaces  will 
not  last  nearly  so  long  as  those  conducted  over  a  level." — 
Encycl.  of  Cottage,  Farm,  and  Villa  Architecture, 
page  989. 

Where  the  reservoir  is  but  a  short  distance,  as  from  a 
dozen  to  fifty  yards,  all  that  is  necessary  is  to  lay  the  con- 
duit pipes  on  a  regular  uniform  slope,  to  secure  a  steady 
uninterrupted  flow  of  water.  Owing  to  the  friction  in  the 
pipes,  and  pressure  of  the  atmosphere,  the  water  in  the 
fountain  will  of  course,  in  no  case,  rise  quite  as  high  as  the 
level  of  the  water  in  the  reservoir ;  but  it  will  nearly  as 
high.  For  example,  if  the  reservoir  is  ten  feet  four  inches 
high,  the  water  in  the  jet  will  only  rise  ten  feet,  and  in  like 
proportion  for  the  different  heights.    The  following  table* 


Height  of  the 

Diameter  of  the 

Diameters  of  the 

Height  the  water 

Reservoir. 

Conduit  pipes. 

Orifices. 

will  rise  to. 

Feet. 

Inches. 

Inches. 

Lines. 

Lines. 

Parts. 

Feet. 

Inches. 

5 

1 

0 

22 

4 

o 

5 

0 

10 

4 

0 

25 

5 

0 

10 

0 

15 

9 

H 

0 

6 

0 

15 

0 

21 

4 

0 

6* 

0 

20 

0 

33 

0 

3 

0 

7 

0 

30 

0 

45 

4 

41 

0 

7 

8 

40 

I 

58 

4 

5 

0 

8 

10 

50 

72 

0 

5i 

0 

10 

12 

60 

0 

86 

4 

6 

0 

12 

14 

70 

0 

100 

0 

7 

0 

12 

15 

80 

0 

*  Switzer's  Introduction  to  a  General  System  of  Hydrostatics. 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


409 


shows  with  a,  given  height  of  reservoirs  and  diameter  of 
conduit  pipes  and  orifices,  the  height  to  which  the  water 
will  rise  in  the  fountain. 

A  simple  jet  (Fig.  86)  issuing  from  a  circular  basin  of 
water,  or  a  cluster  of  perpendicular  jets  (candelabra  jets), 
is  at  once  the  simplest  and  most  pleasing  of 
fountains.  Such  are  almost  the  only  kinds 
of  fountains  which  can  be  introduced  with 
[Fig.  86.]  propriety  in  simple  scenes  where  the  pre- 
dominant objects  are  sylvan,  not  architectural. 

Weeping,  or  Tazza  Fountains,  as  they  are  called,  are 
simple  and  highly  pleasing  objects,  which  require  only  a 
ffl^S^^^^BM^^  very  m°derate  supply  of  water  com- 
pared  with   that   demanded  by  a 
,,'1'/'  il^jjiijijli^S^'j,/,'  ij!  Iji'jji'ii-  constant   and  powerful  jet.  The 
!'  illff  iji^'S"  conduit  pipe  rises  through  and  fills 

[Fig.  87.  Tazza  Fountain.]  the  vase,  which  is  so  formed  as  to 
overflow  round  its  entire  margin.  Figure  87  represents  a 
beautiful  Grecian  vase  for  tazza  fountains.  The  ordinary 
jet  and  the  tazza  fountain  may  be  combined  in  one,  when 
the  supply  of  water  is  sufficient,  by  carrying  the  conduit 
pipe  to  the  level  of  the  top  of  the  vase,  from  which  the 
water  rises  perpendicularly,  then  falls  back  into  the  vase 
and  overflows  as  before. 

We  might  enumerate  and  figure  a  great  many  other 
designs  for  fountains  ;  but  the  connoisseur  will  receive 
more  ample  information  on  this  head  than  we  are  able  to 
afford,  from  the  numerous  French  works  devoted  to  this 
branch  of  Rural  Embellishment. 

A  species  of  rustic  fountain  which  has  a  good  effect,  is 
made  by  introducing  the  conduit  pipe  or  pipes  among  the 
groups  of  rockwork  alluded  to,  from  whence  (the  orifice  of 


4K) 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


the  pipe  being  concealed  or  disguised)  the  water  issues 
among  the  rocks  either  in  the  form  of  a  cascade,  a  weep- 
ing fountain,  or  a  perpendicular  jet.  A  little  basin  of 
water  is  formed  at  the  foot  or  in  the  midst  of  the  rockwork  ; 
and  the  cool  moist  atmosphere  afforded  by  the  trickling 
streams,  would  offer  a  most  congenial  site  for  aquatic 
plants,  ferns,  and  mosses. 

Fountains  of  a  highly  artificial  character  are  happily 
situated  only  when  they  are  placed  in  the  neighborhood  of 
buildings  and  architectural  forms.  When  only  a  single 
fountain  can  be  maintained  in  a  residence,  the  centre  of 
the  flower-garden,  or  the  neighborhood  of  the  piazza  or 
terrace-walk,  is,  we  think,  much  the  most  appropriate 
situation  for  it.  There  the  liquid  element,  dancing  and 
sparkling  in  the  sunshine,  is  an  agreeable  feature  in  the 
scene,  as  viewed  from  the  windows  of  the  rooms ;  and  the 
falling  watery  spray  diffusing  coolness  around  is  no  less 
delightful  in  the  surrounding  stillness  of  a  summer  evening. 

After  all  that  we  have  said  respecting  architectural  and 
rustic  decorations  of  the  grounds,  we  must  admit  that  it 
requires  a  great  deal  of  good  taste  and  judgment,  to 
introduce  and  distribute  them  so  as  to  be  in  good  keeping 
with  the  scenery  of  country  residences.  A  country  resi- 
dence, where  the  house  with  a  few  tasteful  groups  of 
flowers  and  shrubs,  and  a  pretty  lawn,  with  clusters  and 
groups  of  luxuriant  trees,  are  all  in  high  keeping  and 
evincing  high  order,  is  far  more  beautiful  and  pleasing 
than  the  same  place,  or  even  one  of  much  larger  extent, 
where  a  profusion  of  statues,  vases,  and  fountains,  or 
rockwork  and  rustic  seats,  are  distributed  throughout  the 
garden  and  grounds,  while  the  latter,  in  themselves,  show 


EMBELLISHMENTS. 


411 


slovenly  keeping,  and  a  crude  and  meagre  knowledge  of 
design  in  Landscape  Gardening. 

Unity  of  expression  is  the  maxim  and  guide  in  this 
department  of  the  art,  as  in  every  other.  Decorations  can 
never  be  introduced  with  good  effect,  when  they  are  at 
variance  with  the  character  of  surrounding  objects.  A 
beautiful  and  highly  architectural  villa  may,  with  the 
greatest  propriety,  receive  the  decorative  accompaniments 
of  elegant  vases,  sundials,  or  statues,  should  the  proprietor 
choose  to  display  his  wealth  and  taste  in  this  manner ;  but 
these  decorations  would  be  totally  misapplied  in  the  case 
of  a  plain  square  edifice,  evincing  no  architectural  style  in 
itself. 

In  addition  to  this,  there  is  great  danger  that  a  mere 
lover  of  fine  vases  may  run  into  the  error  of  assembling 
these  objects  indiscriminately  in  different  parts  of  his 
grounds,  where  they  have  really  no  place,  but  interfere 
with  the  quiet  character  of  surrounding  nature.  He  may 
overload  the  grounds  with  an  unmeaning  distribution  of 
sculpturesque  or  artificial  forms,  instead  of  working  up 
those  parts  where  art  predominates  in  such  a  manner,  by 
means  of  appropriate  decorations,  as  to  heighten  by  con- 
trast the  beauty  of  the  whole  adjacent  landscape. 

With  regard  to  pavilions,  summer-houses,  rustic  seats, 
and  garden  edifices  of  like  character,  they  should,  if 
possible,  in  all  cases  be  introduced  where  they  are 
manifestly  appropriate  or  in  harmony  with  the  scene. 
Thus  a  grotto  should  not  be  formed  in  the  side  of  an 
open  bank,  but  in  a  deep  shadowy  recess ;  a  classic 
temple  or  pavilion  may  crown  a  beautiful  and  prominent 
knoll,  and  a  rustic  covered  seat  may  occupy  a  secluded. 


412 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


quiet  portion  of  the  grounds,  where  undisturbed  meditation 
may  be  enjoyed.    As  our  favorite  Delille  says  : 

"  Sachez  ce  qui  convient  ou  nuit  au  caractere. 
Un  reduit  ecarte,  dans  un  lieu  solitaire, 
Peint  mieux  la  solitude  encore  et  l'abandon. 
Montrez-vous  done  fidele  a.  chaque  expression  ; 
N'allez  pas  au  grand  jour  offrir  un  ermitage  : 
Ne  cachez  point  un  temple  au  fond  d'un  bois  sauvage." 

Les  Jardins. 

Or  if  certain  objects  are  unavoidably  placed  in  situations 
of  inimical  expression,  the  artist  should  labor  to  alter  the 
character  of  the  locality.  How  much  this  can  be  done  by 
the  proper  choice  of  trees  and  shrubs,  and  the  proper 
arrangement  of  plantations,  those  who  have  seen  the 
difference  in  aspect  of  certain  favorite  localities  of  wild 
nature,  as  covered  with  wood,  or  as  denuded  by  the  axe, 
can  well  judge.  And  we  hope  the  amateur,  who  has 
made  himself  familiar  with  the  habits  and  peculiar 
expressions  of  different  trees,  as  pointed  out  in  this  work, 
will  not  find  himself  at  a  loss  to  effect  such  changes,  by 
the  aid  of  time,  with  ease  and  facility. 


APPENDIX. 


I. 

Nties  on  transplanting  trees.  Reasons  for  frequent  failures  in  removing  large  trees. 
Directions  for  performing  this  operation.  Selection  of  subjects.  Preparing  trees  for 
removal    Transplanting  evergreens. 

There  is  no  subject  on  which  the  professional  horticulturist  is  more 
frequently  consulted  in  America,  than  transplanting  trees.  And,  as  it 
is  an  essential  branch  of  Landscape  Gardening — indeed,  perhaps,  the 
most  important  and  necessary  one  to  be  practically  understood  in  the 
improvement  or  embellishment  of  new  country  residences — we  shall 
offer  a  few  remarks  here,  with  the  hope  of  rendering  it  a  more  easy 
and  successful  practice  in  the  hands  of  amateurs. 

The  first  and  most  important  consideration  in  transplanting  should 
be  the  preservation  of  the  roots.  By  this  we  do  not  mean  a  certain  bulk 
of  the  larger  and  more  important  ones  only,  but  as  far  as  possible  all 
the  numerous  small  fibres  and  rootlets  so  indispensably  necessary  in 
assisting  the  tree  to  recover  from  the  shock  of  removal.  The  coarser 
and  larger  roots  serve  to  secure  the  tree  in  its  position,  and  convey  the 
fluids ;  but  it  is  by  means  of  the  small  fibrous  roots,  or  the  delicate  and 
numerous  ■points  of  these  fibres  called  spongioles,  that  the  food  of 
plants  is  imbibed,  and  the  destruction  of  such  is  manifestly  in  the 
highest  degree  fatal  to  the  success  of  the  transplanted  tree.  To  avoid 
this  as  far  as  practicable,  we  should,  in  removing  a  tree,  commence  at 
such  a  distance  as  to  include  a  circumference  large  enough  to  comprise 
the  great  majority  of  the  roots.  At  that  distance  from  the  trunk  we 
shall  find  most  of  the  smaller  roots,  which  should  be  carefully  loosened 

413 


414 


APPENDIX. 


from  the  soil,  with  as  little  injury  as  possible ;  the  earth  should  be 
gently  and  gradually  removed  from  the  larger  roots,  as  we  proceed 
onward  from  the  extremity  of  the  circle  to  the  centre,  and  when  we 
reach  the  nucleus  of  roots  surrounding  the  trunk,  and  fairly  undermine 
the  whole,  we  shall  find  ourselves  in  possession  of  a  tree  in  such  a  per- 
fect condition,  that  even  when  of  considerable  size,  we  may  confident- 
ly hope  for  a  speedy  recovery  of  its  former  luxuriance  after  being 
replanted. 

Now  to  remove  a  tree  in  this  manner,  requires  not  only  a  considera- 
ole  degree  of  experience,  which  is  only  to  be  acquired  by  practice,  but 
also  much  patience  and  perseverance  while  engaged  in  the  work.  It  is 
not  a  difficult  task  to  remove,  in  a  careless  manner,  four  or  five  trees  in 
a  day,  of  fifteen  feet  in  height,  by  the  assistance  of  three  or  four  men, 
and  proper  implements  of  removal,  while  one  or  two  trees  only  can  be 
removed  if  the  roots  and  branches  are  preserved  entire  or  nearly  so. 
Yet  in  the  latter  case,  if  the  work  be  well  performed,  we  shall  have  the 
satisfaction  of  beholding  the  subjects,  when  removed,  soon  taking  fresh 
root,  and  becoming  vigorous  healthy  trees,  with  fine  luxuriant  heads, 
while  three-fourths  of  the  former  will  most  probably  perish,  and  the 
remainder  struggle  for  several  years,  under  the  loss  of  so  large  a  por- 
tion of  their  roots  and  branches,  before  they  entirely  recover,  and  put 
on  the  appearance  of  handsome  trees. 

When  a  tree  is  carelessly  transplanted,  and  the  roots  much  mutilated, 
the  operator  feels  obliged  to  reduce  the  top  accordingly ;  as  experience 
teaches  him,  that  although  the  leaves  may  expand,  yet  they  will  soon 
perish  without  a  fresh  supply  of  food  from  the  roots.  But  when  the 
largest  portion  of  the  roots  are  carefully  taken  up  with  the  tree, 
pruning  should  be  less  resorted  to,  and  thus  the  original  symmetry  and 
beauty  of  the  head  retained.  When  this  is  the  case,  the  leaves  contri- 
bute as  much,  by  their  peculiar  action  in  elaborating  the  sap,  towards 
re-establishing  the  tree,  as  the  roots ;  and  indeed  the  two  act  so  re- 
ciprocally with  each  other,  that  any  considerable  injury  to  the  one 
always  affects  the  other.  "  The  functions  of  respiration,  perspiration, 
and  digestion,"  says  Professor  Lindley,  "  which  are  the  particular  of- 
fices of  leaves,  are  essential  to  the  health  of  a  plant ;  its  healthiness 
being  in  proportion  to  the  degree  in  which  these  functions  are  duly 


APPENDIX. 


415 


performed.  The  leaf  is  in  reality  a  natural  contrivance  for  exposing  a 
large  surface  to  the  influence  of  external  agents,  by  whose  assistance 
the  crude  sap  contained  in  the  stem  is  altered,  and  rendered  suitable  to 
the  particular  wants  of  the  species,  and  for  returning  into  the  general 
circulation,  the  fluids  in  their  matured  condition.  In  a  word,  the  leaf 
of  a  plant  is  its  lungs  and  stomach  traversed  by  a  system  of  veins."* 
All  the  pruning,  therefore,  that  is  necessary,  when  a  tree  is  properly 
transplanted,  will  be  comprised  in  paring  smooth  all  bruises  or  acci- 
dental injuries,  received  by  the  roots  or  branches  during  the  operation, 
or  the  removal  of  a  few  that  may  interfere  with  elegance  of  form  in  the 
head. 

Next  in  importance  to  the  requisite  care  in  performing  the  operation 
of  transplanting,  is  the  proper  choice  of  individual  trees  to  be  transplanted. 
In  making  selections  for  removal  among  our  fine  forest  trees,  it  should 
never  be  forgotten  that  there  are  two  distinct  kinds  of  subjects,  even 
of  the  same  species  of  every  tree,  viz.  those  that  grow  among  and 
surrounded  by  other  trees  or  woods,  and  those  which  grow  alone,  in 
free  open  exposures,  where  they  are  acted  upon  by  the  winds,  storms, 
and  sunshine,  at  all  times  and  seasons.  The  former  class  it  will  always* 
be  exceedingly  difficult  to  transplant  successfully  even  with  the 
greatest  care,  while  the  latter  may  always  be  removed  with  compara- 
tively little  ri>k  of  failure. 

Any  one  who  is  at  all  familiar  with  the  growth  of  trees  in  woods  or 
groves  somewhat  dense,  is  also  aware  of  the  great  difference  in  the 
external  appearance  between  such  trees  and  those  which  stand  singly 
in  open  spaces.  In  thick  woods,  trees  are  found  to  have  tall,  slendei 
trunks,  with  comparatively  few  branches  except  at  the  top,  smooth  and 
thin  bark,  and  they  are  scantily  provided  with  roots,  but  especially  with 
the  small  fibres  so  essentially  necessary  to  insure  the  growth  of  the  tree 
when  transplanted.  Those,  on  the  other  hand,  which  stand  isolated, 
have  short  thick  stems,  numerous  branches,  thick  bark,  and  great 
abundance  of  root  and  small  fibres.  The  latter,  accustomed  to  the 
full  influence  of  the  weather,  to  cold  winds  as  well  as  open  sunshine 
have  what  Sir  Henry  Steuart  has  aptly  denominated  the  "  protecting 
properties"  well  developed  ;  being  robust  and  hardy,  they  are  well  cal- 

*  Theory  of  Horticulture. 


APPENDIX. 


culated  to  endure  the  violence  of  the  removal,  while  trees  growing  in 
the  midst  of  a  wood  sheltered  from  the  tempests  by  their  fellows,  and 
scarcely  ever  receiving  the  sun  and  air  freely  except  at  their  topmost 
branches,  are  too  feeble  to  withstand  the  change  of  situation,  when  re- 
moved to  an  open  lawn,  even  when  they  are  carefully  transplanted. 

"  Of  trees  in  open  exposures,"  says  Sir  Henry,  "  we  find  that  their 
peculiar  properties  contribute,  in  a  remarkable  manner,  to  their  health 
and  prosperity.  In  the  first  place,  their  shortness  and  greater  girth  of 
stem,  in  contradistinction  to  others  in  the  interior  of  woods,  are  ob- 
viously intended  to  give  to  the  former  greater  strength  to  resist  the 
winds,  and  a  shorter  lever  to  act  upon  the  roots.  Secondly,  their 
larger  heads,  with  spreading  branches,  in  consequence  of  the  free  ac- 
cess of  light,  are  as  plainly  formed  for  the  nourishment  as  well  as  the 
balancing  of  so  large  a  trunk,  and  also  for  furnishing  a  cover  to  shield 
it  from  the  elements.  Thirdly,  their  superior  thickness  and  induration 
of  bark  is,  in  like  manner,  bestowed  for  the  protection  of  the  sap-ves- 
sels, that  lie  immediately  under  it,  and  which,  without  such  defence 
from  cold,  could  not  perform  their  functions.  Fourthly,  their  greater 
number  and  variety  of  roots  are  for  the  double  purpose  of  nourish- 
ment and  strength ;  nourishment  to  support  a  mass  of  such  magnitude, 
and  strength  to  contend  with  the  fury  of  the  blast.  Such  are  the  ob- 
vious purposes  for  which  the  unvarying  characteristics  of  trees  in  open 
exposures  are  conferred  upon  them.  Nor  are  they  conferred  equally 
and  indiscriminately  upon  all  trees  so  situated.  They  seem,  by  the 
economy  of  nature,  to  be  peculiar  adaptations  to  the  circumstances  and 
wants  of  each  individual,  uniformly  bestowed  in  the  ratio  of  exposure, 
greater  where  that  is  more  conspicuous,  and  uniformly  decreasing,  as  it 
becomes  less."* 

Trees  in  which  the  protecting  properties  are  well  developed  are  fre- 
quently to  be  met  with  on  the  skirts  of  woods ;  but  those  standing  singly 
here  and  there,  through  the  cultivated  fields  and  meadows  of  our  farm 
lands,  where  the  roots  have  extended  themselves  freely  in  the  mellow 
soil,  are  the  finest  subjects  for  removal  into  the  lawn,  park,  or  pleasure 
ground. 

*  The  Planter's  Guide,  p.  105. 


APPENDIX. 


417 


The  machine  used  in  removing  trees  of  moderate  size  is  of  simple 
construction,  consisting  of  a  pair  of  strong  wheels  about  five  feet  high, 
a  stout  axle,  and  a  pole  about  twelve  feet  long.  In  transplanting,  the 
wheels  and  axle  are  brought  close  to  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  the  pole  is 
firmly  lashed  to  the  stem,  and  when  the  soil  is  sufficiently  removed  and 
loosened  about  the  roots,  the  pole,  with  the  tree  attached,  is  drawn 
down  to  a  horizontal  position  by  the  aid  of  men  and  a  pair  of  horses. 
When  the  tree  is  thus  drawn  out  of  the  hole,  it  is  well  secured  and 
properly  balanced  upon  the  machine,  the  horses  are  fastened  in  front 
of  the  mass  of  roots  by  gearings  attached  to  the  axle,  and  the  whole 
is  transported  to  the  destined  location. 

In  order  more  effectually  to  insure  the  growth  of  large  specimens 
when  transplanted,  a  mode  of  preparing  beforehand  a  supply  of  young 
roots,  is  practised  by  skilful  operators.  This  consists  in  removing  the 
top  soil,  partially  undermining  the  tree,  and  shortening  back  many  of 
the  roots ;  and  afterwards  replacing  the  former  soil  by  rich  mould,  or 
soil  well  manured.  This  is  suffered  to  remain  at  least  one  year,  and 
often  three  or  four  years ;  the  tree,  stimulated  by  the  fresh  supply  of 
food,  throws  out  an  abundance  of  small  fibres,  which  render  success, 
when  the  time  for  removal  arrives,  comparatively  certain. 

It  may  be  well  to  remark  here,  that  before  large  trees  are  transplant- 
ed into  their  final  situations,  the  latter  should  be  well  prepared  by 
trenching,  or  digging  the  soil  two  or  three  feet  deep,  intermingling 
throughout  the  whole  a  liberal  portion  of  well  decomposed  manure,  or 
rich  compost.  To  those  who  are  in  the  habit  of  planting  trees  of  any 
size  in  unprepared  grounds,  or  that  merely  prepared  by  digging  one 
spit  deep,  and  turning  in  a  little  surface  manure,  it  is  inconceivable  how 
much  more  rapid  is  the  growth,  and  how  astonishingly  luxuriant  the  ap- 
pearance of  trees  when  removed  into  ground  prope'rly  prepared.  It  is 
not  too  much  to  affirm,  that  young  trees  under  favorable  circumstances 
— in  soil  so  prepared — will  advance  more  rapidly,  and  attain  a  larger 
stature  in  eight  years,  than  those  planted  in  the  ordinary  way,  without 
deepening  the  soil,  will  in  twenty — and  trees  of  larger  size  in  propor- 
tion ;  a  gain  of  growth  surely  worth  the  trifling  expense  incurred  in 
the  first  instance.    And  the  same  observation  will  apply  to  all  plant- 

21 


418 


APPENDIX. 


».ng.  A  little  extra  labor  and  cost  expended  in  preparing  the  soil  will, 
Tor  a  long  time,  secure  a  surprising  rapidity  of  growth.* 

In  the  actual  planting  of  the  tree,  the  chief  point  lies  in  bringing 
svery  small  fibre  in  contact  with  the  soil,  so  that  no  hollows  or  inter- 
stices are  left,  which  may  produce  mouldiness  and  decay  of  the  roots. 
To  avoid  this,  the  soil  must  be  pulverized  with  the  spade  before  filling 
in,  and  one  of  the  workmen,  with  his  hands  and  a  flat  dibble  of  wood, 
should  fill  up  all  cavities,  and  lay  out  the  small  roots  before  covering 
them  in  their  natural  position.  When  watering  is  thought  advisable 
(and  we  practise  it  almost  invariably),  it  should  always  be  done  while 
the  planting  is  going  forward.  Poured  in  the  hole  when  the  roots  are 
just  covered  with  the  soil,  it  serves  to  settle  the  loose  earth  compactly 

*  Where  expense  is  not  so  much  an  object  as  success,  we  cannot  too  deeply 
impress  upon  planters  the  necessity  of  making  very  deep,  and  very  wide  holes, 
or  pits,  as  they  are  called  in  England.  These  pits  should  be  four  to  five  feet 
deep,  and  not  less  than  ten  to  sixteen  feet  in  diameter,  and  neither  round  nor 
square,  but  star-shaped,  or  cross-shaped,  of  such  a  form  as  would  be  produced 
by  placing  one  equilateral  triangle  upon  another,  or  two  parallelograms  across 
each  other,  so  as  to  form  a  Greek  cross. 


The  object  of  departing  from  the  square,  or  round  form,  is  to  introduce  the 
growing  fibres  of  the  young  trees  into  the  firm  and  poor  soil,  by  degrees,  and 
not  all  at  once,  as  in  the  round  or  square-hole  manner. 

When  a  tree  is  planted  in  the  round  or  square  pit,  surrounded  outside  of  it 
by  poor,  hard  soil,  it  is  very  much  in  the  same  situation  as  if  its  roots  were 
confined  in  a  tub  or  box. 

The  dove-tailing,  so  to  speak,  of  the  prepared  soil,  and  of  the  moisture  it 
will  retain,  with  the  hard,  impenetrable  soil  by  which  it  is  surrounded,  will 
gradually  prepare  the  latter  for  being  penetrated  by  the  roots  of  the  trees,  and 
prevent  the  sides  of  the  pit  from  giving  the  same  check  to  those  roots,  which 
the  sides  of  the  pot  or  tub  do  to  the  plant  contained  in  it.  In  the  preparation 
of  these  holes,  the  lower  spot,  or  hard-pan,  shordd  bo  thrown  out,  aud  ten  to 
twelve  inches  of  stone  substituted,  for  the  double  purpose  of  drainage,  and 
retention  of  moisture  in  dry  weather. — H.  W.  S. 


APPENDIX. 


419 


around  the  various  roots,  and  thus  both  furnishes  a  supply  of  moisture, 
and  brings  the  pulverized  mould  in  proper  contact  for  growth.  Trees 
well  watered  when  planted  in  this  way,  will  rarely  require  it  after- 
wards ;  and  should  they  do  so,  the  better  way  is  to  remove  two  or 
three  inches  of  the  top  soil,  and  give  the  lower  stratum  a  copious  sup- 
ply; when  the  water  having  been  absorbed,  the  surface  should  again 
be  replaced.  There  is  no  practice  more  mischievous  to  newly  moved 
trees,  than  that  of  pouring  water,  during  hot  weather,  upon  the  surface 
of  the  ground  above  the  roots.  Acted  upon  by  the  sun  and  wind,  this 
surface  becomes  baked,  and  but  little  water  reaches  the  roots ;  or  just 
sufficient,  perhaps,  to  afford  a  momentary  stimulus,  to  be  followed  by 
increased,  sensibility  to  the  parching  drought. 

With  respect  to  the  proper  seasons  for  transplanting,  we  may  remark 
that,  except  in  extreme  northern  latitude,  autumn  planting  is  generally 
preferred  for  large,  hardy,  deciduous  trees.  It  may  commence  as  soon 
as  the  leaves  fall,  and  may  be  continued  until  winter.  In  planting  large 
trees  in  spring,  we  should  commence  as  early  as  possible,  to  give  them 
the  benefit  of  the  April  rains ;  if  it  should  be  deferred  to  a  later  period, 
the  trees  will  be  likely  to  suffer  greatly  by  the  hot  summer  sun  before 
they  are  well  established. 

The  transplanting  of  evergreens  is  generally  considered  so  much  more 
difficult  than  that  of  deciduous  trees,  and  so  many  persons  who  have 
tolerable  success  in  the  latter,  fail  in  the  former,  that  we  may  perhaps 
be  expected  to  point  out  the  reason  of  these  frequent  failures. 

Most  of  our  horticultural  maxims  are  derived  from  English  authors 
ancf  among  them,  that  of  always  planting  evergreens  either  in  August 
or  late  in  autumn.  At  both  these  seasons,  it  is  nearly  impossible  to 
succeed  in  the  temperate  portions  of  the  United  States,  from  the  dif- 
ferent character  of  our  climate  at  these  seasons.  The  genial  moisture 
of  the  English  Climate  renders  transplanting  comparatively  easy  at  all 
seasons,  but  especially  in  winter,  while  in  this  country,  our  Augusts 
are  dry  and  hot,  and  our  winters  generally  dry  and  cold.  If  planted  in 
the  latter  part  of  summer,  evergreens  become  parched  in  their  foliage, 
and  soon  perish.  If  planted  in  autumn  or  early  winter,  the  severe  cold 
that  ensues,  to  which  the  newly  disturbed  plant  is  peculiarly  alive, 
paralyses  vital  action,  and  the  tree  is  so  much  enfeebled  that,  when 


420 


APPENDIX. 


spring  arrives,  it  survives  but  a  short  period.  The  only  period,  there- 
fore, that  remains  for  the  successful  removal  of  evergreens  here,  is  the 
spring.  When  planted  as  early  as  practicable  in  the  spring,  so  as  to 
have  the  full  benefit  of  the  abundant  rains  so  beneficial  to  vegetation 
at  that  season,  they  will  almost  immediately  protrude  new  shoots,  and 
regain  their  former  vigor. 

Evergreens  are,  in  their  roots,  much  more  delicate  and  impatient  of 
dryness  than  deciduous  trees ;  and  this  should  be  borne  in  mind  while 
transplanting  them.  For  this  reason,  experienced  planters  always 
choose  a  wet  or  misty  day  for  their  removal ;  and,  in  dry  weather,  we 
would  always  recommend  the  roots  to  be  kept  watered  and  covered 
from  the  air  by  mats  during  transportation.  When  proper  regard  is 
paid  to  this  point,  and  to  judicious  selection  of  the  season,  evergreens 
will  not  be  found  more  difficult  of  removal  than  other  trees. 

Another  mode  of  transplanting  large  evergreens,  which  is  very  suc- 
cessfully practised  among  us,  is  that  of  removing  them  with  frozen 
balls  of  earth  in  mid-winter.  When  skilfully  performed,  it  is  perhaps 
the  most  complete  of  all  modes,  and  is  so  different  from  the  common 
method,  that  the  objection  we  have  just  made  to  winter  planting  does 
not  apply  to  this  case.  The  trees  to  be  removed  are  selected,  the  situa- 
tions chosen,  and  the  holes  dug,  while  the  ground  is  yet  open  in  autumn. 
When  the  ground  is  somewhat  frozen,  the  operator  proceeds  to  dig  a 
trench  around  the  tree  at  some  distance,  gradually  undermining  it,  and 
leaving  all  the  principal  mass  of  roots  embodied  in  the  ball  of  earth. 
The  whole  ball  is  then  left  to  freeze  pretty  thoroughly  (generally  till 
snow  covers  the  ground),  when  a  large  sled  drawn  by  oxen  is  brought 
as  near  as  possible,  the  ball  of  earth  containing  the  tree  rolled  upon  it, 
and  the  whole  is  easily  transported  to  the  hole  previously  prepared, 
where  it  is  placed  in  the  proper  position,  and  as  soon  as  the  weather 
becomes  mild,  the  earth  is  properly  filled  in  around  the  ball.  A  tree, 
either  evergreen  or  deciduous,  may  be  transplanted  in  this  way,  so  as 
scarcely  to  show,  at  the  return  of  growth,  any  ill  effects  from  its 
change  of  location. 


APPENDIX. 


421 


II. 

Note  on  the  treatment  of  Lawns 

As  a  lawn  is  the  ground-work  of  a  landscape  garden,  and  as  the 
management  of  a  dressed  grass  surface  is  still  a  somewhat  ill-under- 
stood subject  with  us,  some  of  our  readers  will,  perhaps,  be  gVad  to 
receive  a  very  few  hints  on  this  subject. 

The  unrivalled  beauty  of  the  "velvet  lawns"  of  England  has  passed 
into  a  proverb.  This  is  undoubtedly  owing,  in  some  measure,  to  their 
superior  care  and  keeping,  but  mainly  to  the  highly  favorable  climate 
of  that  moist  and  sea-girt  land.  In  a  very  dry  climate  it  is  nearly 
impossible  to  preserve  that  emerald  freshness  in  a  grass  surface,  that 
belongs  only  to  a  country  of  "  weeping  skies."  During  all  the  present 
season,  on  the  Hudson,  where  we  write,  the  constant  succession  of 
showers  has  given  us,  even  in  the  heat  of  midsummer,  a  softness  and 
verdure  of  lawn  that  can  scarcely  be  surpassed  in  any  climate  or 
country. 

Our  climate,  however,  is  in  the  middle  states  one  of  too  much  heat 
and  brilliancy  of  sun,  to  allow  us  to  keep  our  lawns  in  the  best  condi- 
tion without  considerable  care.  Beautifully  verdant  in  spring  and 
autumn,  they  are  often  liable  to  suffer  from  drought  in  midsummer. 
On  sandy  soils,  this  is  especially  the  case,  while  on  strong  loamy  soils, 
a  considerable  drought  will  be  endured  without  injury  to  the  good 
appearance  of  the  grass.  It  therefore  is  a  suggestion  worthy  of  the 
attention  of  the  lover  of  a  fine  lawn,  who  is  looking  about  for  a 
country  residence,  to  carefully  avoid  one  where  the  soil  is  sandy.  The 
only  remedy  in  such  a  soil  is  a  tedious  and  expensive  one,  that  of  con- 
stant and  plentiful  topdressing  with  a  compost  of  manure  and  heavy 
soil — marsh  mud — swamp  muck,  or  the  like.  Should  it  fortunately  be 
the  case  (which  is  very  rare)  that  the  sub-stratum  is  loamy,  deep 
ploughing,  or  trenching,  by  bringing  up  and  mixing  with  the  light  sur- 
face soil  seme  of  the  heavier  earth  from  below,  will  speedily  tend  to 
remedy  the  evil. 

In  almost  all  cases  where  the  soil  is  of  good  strength,  a  permanent 
lawn  may  be  secured  by  preparing  the  soil  deeply  before  finally  laying 
it  down.    This  may  be  done  readily,  at  but  little  outlay,  by  deep 


422 


APPENDIX. 


ploughing — a  good  and  cheap  substitute  for  trenching — that  is  to  say 
making  the  plough  follow  three  times  in  the  same  furrow.  This,  with 
manure,  if  necessary,  will  secure  a  depth  of  soil  sufficient  to  allow  the 
roots  of  plants  to  strike  below  the  effects  of  a  surface  drought. 

In  sowing  a  lawn,  the  best  mixture  of  grasses  that  we  can  recom 
mend  for  this  climate,  is  a  mixture  of  Red-top  and  white  Clover — two 
natural  grasses  found  by  almost  every  roadside — in  the  proportion  of 
three  fourths  of  the  former,  to  one  of  the  latter. 

There  is  a  common  and  very  absurd  notion  current  (which  we  have 
several  times  practically  disproved),  that,  in  order  to  lay  down  a  lawn 
well,  it  is  better  to  sow  the  seed  along  with  that  of  some  grain ;  thus, 
starving  the  growth  of  a  small  plant  by  forcing  it  to  grow  with  a 
larger  and  coarser  one.  A  whole  year  is  always  lost  by  this  process — 
indeed  more  frequently  two.  Many  trials  have  convinced  us  that  the 
proper  mode  is  to  sow  a  heavy  crop  of  grass  at  once,  and  we  advise 
him  who  desires  to  have  speedily  a  handsome  turf,  to  follow  the 
English  practice,  and  sow  three  to  four  bushels  of  seed  to  the  acre.  If 
this  is  done  early  in  the  spring,  he  will  have  a  lawn-like  surface  by 
mid-summer,  and  a  fine  close  turf  the  next  season. 

After  this,  the  whole  beauty  of  a  lawn  depends  on  frequent  mowing. 
Once  a  fortnight  at  the  furthest,  is  the  rule  for  all  portions  of  the  lawn 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  house,  or  near  the  principal  walks.  A 
longer  growth  than  this  will  only  leave  yellow  and  coarser  stubble 
after  mowing,  instead  of  a  soft  velvet  surface.  A  broad-bladed  English 
scythe  (to  be  had  at  the  shops  of  the  seedsman),  set  nearly  parallel  to 
the  surface,  is  the  instrument  for  the  purpose,  and  with  it  a  clever 
mower  will  be  able  to  shave  within  half  an  inch  of  the  ground,  with- 
out leaving  any  marks.  To  free  the  surface  from  worm  casts,  etc.,  it 
is  a  common  practice  to  roll  the  previous  evening  as  much  as  may  be 
mown  the  next  day.* 

*  A  very  great  improvement  and  economy  in  the  keeping  of  lawns  now-a- 
days,  is  in  the  employment  of  the  Lawn-cutter,  by  which  one  man,  with  a 
horse -machine,  will  accomplish,  in  two  or  three  hours,  more  than  a  dozen  men 
can  in  a  whole  day.  The  best  English  lawn-cutters  will  cut,  roll,  and  gather 
the  grass  from  one  acre,  in  one  hour,  where  it  is  good,  close  turf,  and  there  are 
no  trees  to  interfere  with  the  action  of  the  machine. 


APPENDIX. 


423 


As  the  neatness  of  a  well  kept  lawn  depends  mainly  upon  the  man- 
ner in  which  it  is  mown,  and  as  this  again  can  only  be  well  done  where 
there  are  no  inequalities  in  the  ground,  it  follows  that  the  surface 
should  be  kept  as  smooth  as  possible.  Before  sowing  a  lawn,  toe 
much  pains  cannot  be  taken  to  render  its  surface  smooth  and  even. 
After  this,  in  the  spring,  before  the  grass  starts,  it  should  be  examine!, 
and  all  little  holes  and  irregularities  filled  up,  and  the  same  should  be 
looked  over  at  any  annual  top-dressing  that  may  take  place.  The 

When  a  lawn  is  in  perfect  condition,  smooth,  free  from  stones  and  inequali- 
ties, and  is  cut,  as  it  ought  to  be,  once  a  week,  it  is  quite  surprising  how  much 
gratification  we  derive  from  what  used  to  be  performed  with  great  labor,  and 
often  with  a  very  unsatisfactory  result.  There  are  very  few  places  in  the 
country  where  we  can  have  complete  lawns  by  the  scythe,  because,  as  the 
work  must  be  performed  early  in  the  morning  and  late  in  the  afternoon 
when  the  dew  is  on,  it  follows  that  a  very  large  force,  much  larger  than  is 
usually  kept  even  in  our  best  places,  must  be  required,  to  accomplish 
much  in  so  short  a  time.  In  England,  this  is  more  easily  done,  because 
they  turn  on  to  the  lawn  at  daylight,  ten  to  thirty  men,  from  all  parts  of 
the  place,  who  separate  after  8,  or  9,  A.  M.,  to  their  respective  and  regular 
duties — to  the  garden,  to  the  farm,  to  the  forest.  We  cannot  afford  to  do 
this,  and  as  our  sun  is  much  hotter,  and  our  dew  much  less  time  in  dura- 
tion than  in  England,  it  follows,  that  any  improvement,  which  will  allow  us 
to  cut  our  lawns  throughout  the  heat  of  the  day,  is  very  desirable.  This 
the  mowing  machine  does,  performing  its  work  better  when  the  dew  is 
off,  than  on,  and  allowing  us  to  mow,  roll,  and  gather  up,  at  the  same  time,  and 
by  the  same  means.  All  that  remains  subsequently  to  do,  is  to  clip  with  scythe 
or  sickle  around  the  edges  and  verges,  as  well  as  near  trees,  or  masses  of  shrubs, 
very  close  to  which  the  machine  should  not  be  allowed  to  pass.  We  have  found 
more  satisfaction  in  the  use  of  this  machine,  than  in  any  other  thing  we  have 
done  since  we  lived  in  the  country,  and  have  now  got  our  lawn  into  such  a 
responsive  and  genial  condition,  that  (except  during  May  and  June,  when  the 
growth  of  grass  is  more  rampant,  and  has  to  be  gathered),  we  have  removed 
our  box  for  catching  the  grass  as  it  falls  from  the  rollers,  and  permit  it 
to  fly  in  a  little  shower  all  over  the  lawn,  as  the  cutting  progresses.  In 
this  way,  the  lawn-top  dresses  itself,  by  returning  all  that  it  produces. 
By  cutting  and  rolling  once  a  week,  this  weekly  cutting  amounts  to 
little  more  than  snipping  off  the  points  of  shoots  half  to  three-quarters  of 
an  inch  long,  which  have  projected  above  the  cutting-grade  of  the  machine, 
and  which  are  scattered  in  this  sort  of  grassy  shower  on  the  lawn,  decaying 
or  disappearing  in  course  of  two  to  three  hours,  while  all  below  the  grade 
becomes  pressed  and  matted  by  the  roller  into  a  fine  and  verdant  soC  — 
H.  W,  S. 

f 


424 


APPENDIX. 


occasional  use  of  a  heavy  roller,  after  rain,  will  also  greatly  tend  to 
remedy  all  defects  of  this  nature. 

Where  a  piece  of  land  is  long  kept  in  lawn,  it  must  have  an  occa- 
sional top-dressing  every  two  or  three  years,  if  the  soil  is  rich,  or  every 
season,  if  it  is  poor.  As  early  as  possible  in  the  spring  is  the  best 
time  to  apply  such  a  top-dressing,  which  may  be  a  compost  of  any 
decayed  vegetable  or  animal  matter — heavier  and  more  abounding  with 
marsh  mud,  etc.,  just  in  proportion  to  the  natural  lightness  of  the  soil. 
Indeed  almost  every  season  the  lawn  should  be  looked  over,  all  weeds 
taken  out,  and  any  poor  or  impoverished  spots  plentifully  top-dressed, 
and,  if  necessary,  sprinkled  with  a  little  fresh  seed.  Wood  ashes, 
either  fresh  or  leached,  is  also  one  of  the  most  efficient  fertilizers  of  a 
lawn. 

We  can  already,  especially  in  the  finer  places  on  the  Hudson,  and 
about  Boston,  boast  of  many  finely  kept  lawns,  and  we  hope  every 
day,  as  the  better  class  of  country  residences  increases,  to  see  this 
indispensable  feature  in  tasteful  grounds  becoming  better  understood 
and  more  universal. 


1 


SUPPLEMENT 

TO    T  H  K 

SIXTH  EDITION 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING 

CONTAINING 

SOME  REMARKS  ABOUT  COUNTRY  PLACES,  AND  THE  BEST 
METHODS  OF  MAKING  THEM;  ALSO,  AN  ACCOUNT  OF 
THE  NEWER  DECIDUOUS  AND  EVERGREEN  PLANTS, 
LATELY    INTRODUCED    INTO  CULTIVATION, 
BOTH  HARDY  AND  HALF-HARDY. 

BY 

HENRY  WINTHROP  SARGENT. 


 "  Dant  utile  lignum 

Navigiis  pinos,  domibus  cedros  que  cupressos  que." 

Geok.  ii.  442. 


SUPPLEMENT  TO  LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


SECTION  I. 

SOME    GENERAL  REMARKS    ON  LANDSCAPE    GARDENING-  AND 
COUNTRY  PLACES. 

Great  as  was  the  impetus  given  to  the  public  mind 
by  the  first  appearance  of  this  book  in  1841,  and  great 
as  has  been  the  advantage  derived  from  its  publication 
since,  not  only  in  assisting  by  certain  rules  as  far  as  it  is 
possible  to  apply  rules  to  an  art,  but  also  in  developing 
and  fostering  rural  tastes,  yet,  we  think,  it  must  be 
conceded  by  observing  and  discriminating  persons,  that 
the  style  of  our  country  places  is  still  vastly  inferior 
to  the  very  marked  improvement  in  Rural  Architecture 
during  the  past  ten  years. 

This  has  arisen  partly  from  the  fact  that  no  sensible 
man  attempts  to  build  his  own  house,  and  the  necessity 
of  employing  architects  has  not  only  developed  much 
ability  in  our  own  professors  of  this  art,  but  has  also 
given  us  the  additional  advantage  of  a  great  deal  of  for- 
eign talent  and  skill. 

This  has  not  been  the  case  with  Landscape  Gardening. 
There  has  been  no  one  since  Mr.  Downing's  death  who 
has  exactly  filled  the  niche  he  occupied  in  the  public 
estimation.  We  do  not  mean  to  say  that  there  are  not 
at  present  in  this  country,  gentlemen  of  taste  and  know- 
ledge, and  who  are  professional  Landscape  Gardeners  of 
sufficient  ability  to  take  any  place  and  to  make  it  all 
that  is  desirable ;  but  there  is  no  one,  we  think,  whose 
judgment  and  opinions  would  have,  at  this  moment, 
such  decided  and  marked  influence  in  all  matters  of 

427 


428 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


rural  taste,  as  the  late  Mr.  Downing  exercised  at  the 
time  of  his  death. 

While,  therefore,  the  excellence  of  country  houses 
has  greatly  increased,  the  improvement  in  country 
places  is  not  so  evident.  A  great  many  persons  are 
either  too  indolent  or  too  busy  to  give  much  attention 
to  the  capabilities  or  wants  of  their  places.  The  former 
fall  easily  into  the  hands  of  an  inferior  class  of  nursery- 
men, or  job-planters,  and  become  a  ready  prey  to  the 
most  tastless  imposition,  while  the  latter  crowd  into  a 
few  hours  a  day  the  arrangement  and  adornment  of 
grounds  which  should  require  many  months  of  thought 
and  study. 

"We  Americans  are,  as  a  general  rule,  in  too  great 
a  hurry  "  to  get  through."  "We  are  apt  to  allow  our- 
selves to  go  into  the  country  without  quite  understand- 
ing what  we  are  to  do  there,  or  how  we  are  to  live,  or 
whether  we  have  true  taste  and  capacity  for  country 
life.  Most  persons  are  satisfied  while  building  their 
house  and  attempting  to  arrange  their  grounds.  The 
first  is  comparatively  easy,  for  wTe  have  only  to  com- 
municate to  an  architect  our  general  wishes,  and  it  be- 
comes his  duty  to  carry  them  out ;  the  second  is  more 
perplexing,  simply  because  we  do  not  know  what  we 
want,  or  we  want  to  have  everything  we  have  seen 
that  has  struck  us  as  desirable.  "We  do  not  stop  to 
consider  whether  a  certain  style  of  planting  or  selection 
of  trees,  harmonizes  either  with  our  house  or  is  in 
character  with  our  grounds.  We  have  an  indefinite 
idea  of  the  pleasure  certain  effects  gave  us  in  other  coun- 
try places,  and  we  are  determined  to  have  those  effects 
in  our  own,  without  any  reference  to  propriety  or  good 
taste,  not  from  obstinacy,  but  from  ignorance.  We  have, 
to  be  sure,  certain  rules  for  planting,  but  the  lazy  are 
too  indolent,  and  the  busy  are  too  hurried  to  read  or 
study  them.  The  suggestions  of  others  are  readily  taken, 
and  the  most  incongruous  and  imperfect  results  necessar- 


GENERAL  REMARKS. 


429 


ily  ensue.  A  willow  drooping  over  a  rustic  bridge,  and 
a  pine  waving  its  giant  limbs  on  a  rocky  eminence,  are 
each  charming  in  their  place,  because  in  harmony  with 
surrounding  nature  ;  but  pines  and  willows  alternating 
around  a  house,  or  on  a  flat  approach  road,  are  most 
discordant  and  in  the  vilest  taste,  and  yet  we  constantly 
meet  with  discrepancies  in  new  country  places,  not  a 
whit  less  barbarous. 

A  common  error,  and  we  think  a  very  decided  one,  in 
our  new  places,  is  the  anxiety  to  have  flowers  and 
flowering  shrubs  while  the  place  is  still  in  the  rough, 
and  before  we  know  where  to  put  them  with  propriety. 

A  very  usual  employment  of  new  grounds  immediately 
adjacent  to  the  house,  is  the  most  injudicious  and  taste- 
less admixture  of  decapitated  forest  trees  and  dahlias, 
with  vases,  evergreens,  roses,  altheas,  and  the  various 
common  plants,  indiscriminately  put  together,  a  few 
inches,  or  at  most  a  few  feet  apart,  in  the  coarse  weedy 
grass,  which  is  the  best  apology  for  lawn  which  could 
be  got  up  in  the  time — exposed  to  the  carelessness  of 
workmen,  and  the  depredation  of  roadside  cattle.  We 
have  even  seen  avenues — and  in  places  too,  where 
otherwise  there  are  evidences  of  good  taste — planted 
wtih  alternate  rows  of  forest  trees  and  dahlias,  with  an 
occasional  rose  tree  or  geranium.  Nothing,  we  con- 
ceive, can  be  in  worse  taste  than  this ;  for  though 
nothing  can  well  be  prettier  than  a  rose  in  a  rose  gar- 
den properly  surrounded  by  the  most  refined  and  orna- 
mental shrubs,  like  a  jewel  in  an  appropriate  setting, 
yet  can  anything  be  more  improper  or  discordant  than 
the  same  rose  in  a  stubble  field,  or  what  is  quite  as  in- 
appropriate, in  the  rough  and  ill-kept  grounds  of  a  raw 
and  unfinished  place.  Refinement  must  be  associated 
with  and  surrounded  by  refinement,  or  it  loses  half  its 
charm.  We  hear  of  and  sometimes  see  a  rough  dia- 
mond ;  but  no  one,  we  think,  will  pretend  to  say  that 


430 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


the  same  diamond  polished  and  properly  set,  is  not  in- 
finitely more  attractive. 

Besides  which,  no  flowers  do  well  under  such  circum. 
stances ;  the  ground  is  hard  and  rough,  and  the  plants 
being  placed  immediately  under  the  drip,  and  amidst 
the  roots  of  trees,  do  not  receive  the  full  benefit  of 
either  sun,  air,  or  soil,  and  yield  the  most  unsatisfactory 
returns  for  the  expenditure  of  a  great  deal  of  time  and 
money. 

Whether  flowers  should  or  should  not  be  planted 
around  a  house,  is  also  a  question  of  considerable  mo- 
ment, and  as  a  general  rule,  we  must  confess,  our  own 
judgment  is  against  it ;  we  think  the  only  exception  is 
where  it  is  desirable  to  retain  the  view  from  the  princi- 
pal windows  either  within  the  lawn,  or  within  the  imme- 
diate surroundings  of  the  house,  from  the  more  distant 
prospect  being  flat  and  uninteresting,  or  containing 
objects  decidedly  disagreeable. 

In  such  cases,  the  more  the  eye  can  be  prevented 
from  wandering  to  the  distant  points,  the  better,  and 
this  can  be  accomplished  in  no  more  pleasing  way 
than  by  surrounding  the  house  with  the  most  dazzling 
flower-beds,  or  the  most  striking  architectural  orna- 
ments, such  as  vases,  sun-dials,  terraces,  and  fountains, 
or  distinctive  and  remarkable  trees  or  plants. 

Where,  however,  as  is  most  often,  we  think,  the  case 
in  this  country,  the  place  itself  is  of  sufficient  size  or 
elevation  to  create  a  distant  prospect  which  is  agree- 
able, or  the  view  beyond  the  boundaries  presents 
natural  features  of  an  attractive  character,  such  as  fine 
mountains,  lakes,  or  rivers,  or  distant  peeps  of  pastoral 
country,  or  pretty  villages,  then  it  is  not  desirable 
to  fritter  these  away  by  flowers  or  any  objects  near  the 
house ;  but  the  arrangements  of  the  grounds  should  be 
of  the  most  simple  character,  and  partake  of  that  smooth 
harmonious  form,  most  suggestive  of  the  repose  and 
quiet  which  we  seem  always  inseparably  to  associate 


GENERAL  REMARKS. 


431 


with  a  well- ordered  country  place.  The  trees  should  be 
so  arranged,  that  while  forming  natural  and  graceful 
groups,  they  should  act  as  it  were  as  frames,  through 
which  the  distant  views  or  objects  of  interest  on  or 
beyond  the  place,  seem  to  appear  to  the  greatest 
advantage.  We  do  not  certainly  wish  to  interdict  ail 
flowers,  or  banish  them  from  the  vicinity  of  the  house ; 
far  from  it.  We  think,  on  the  contrary,  a  bed  or  so  of 
roses,  or  a  mass  of  the  sweet-scented  honeysuckle  and 
fragrant  clematis  immediately  under  the  windows  of  the 
drawing  room,  are  most  desirable,  that  we  may  enjoy 
their  fragrance  of  a  summer  evening.  We  would  only 
so  arrange  or  place  them,  that  they  should  in  no  way 
disturb  the  view  by  withdrawing  the  eye  from  some- 
thing much  liner  beyond. 

Nothing  can  well  be  prettier  or  in  better  taste  than 
an  architectural  flower  garden,  opening  from  the  break- 
fast or  morning  room,  or  perhaps  on  a  side  of  the  house, 
where  the  view  is  confined  and  shut  in  by  ornamental 
shrubs,  and  which  seems,  by  a  judicious  transition,  to 
connect  the  house  and  the  grounds ;  but  we  think  on 
those  sides  where  the  views  are,  and  especially  on  the 
entrance  front,  there  should  be  nothing  but  the  simplest 
and  most  dignified  arrangements  of  trees  and  grass. 

There  is  another,  and  we  think  a  very  sensible  reason, 
why  flowers  and  flowering  shrubs  should  not  be  intro- 
duced, in  profusion  at  least,  either  along  the  borders 
of  the  approach  road,  or  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
the  entrance  front. 

It  is  well  laid  down  by  the  English  Landscape  Gar- 
deners, that  from  the  time  the  house  is  first  seen  on  an 
approach,  it  should  not  be  lost  sight  of.  It  being  the 
highest  architectural  object  on  the  place,  no  rural 
objects,  like  flowers,  or  any  architectural  features  of 
lower  art,  like  statues,  or  vases,  should  be  permit- 
ted to  divert  the  eye  of  the  visitor,  which  they  would 
be  very  apt  to  do,  if  from  no  other  reason  than  the  care 


432 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


and  attention  necessary  to  prevent  driving  over  or  against 
them.  It  is  particularly  objectionable,  therefore,  to 
place  rows  or  masses  of  green-house  plants,  as  is  often 
done,  on  either  side  of  the  entrance,  which  are  sure  to 
be  more  or  less  injured  by  hungry  horses  and  careless 
coachmen. 

And  finally,  in  this  country  where  we  have  no  rural 
sports  as  in  England,  nothing  in  fact  for  the  amuse- 
ment of  our  friends  and  visitors,  except  what  is  beautiful 
or  interesting  on  our  grounds  or  in  our  gardens,  we 
have  always  thought  it  highly  desirable  not  to  tell  our 
whole  story  from  the  house",  but  to  set  aside  in  different 
and  distant  portions  of  the  place  all  our  objects  of 
interest ;  a  flower  garden  in  one  spot,  the  vegetable 
garden  in  another,  an  arboretum  or  pinetum  in  a  third, 
and  so  make  and  multiply  as  it  were,  various  interests 
in  different  parts — properly  connected,  but  as  widely 
separated  as  convenience  or  space  will  allow — which 
shall  furnish  to  our  guests  excuses  for  a  walk,  and  give  to 
a  small  place  the  appearance  of  a  large  one ;  in  other 
words  to  afford  as  much  interest  and  diversion  as  the 
capacity  of  the  grounds  will  allow,  and  prevent  that 
ennui  and  fatigue,  which  nothing  to  see  and  nothing  to 
do,  produces  not  only  in  our  visitors,  but  in  our  own 
families.  We  cannot  well  imagine  anything  more 
dreary  than  those  country  places  where  there  is  no 
motive  to  go  out,  because  everything  is  gathered  and 
crowded  around  the  house  and  can  be  seen  from  the 
windows. 

Although  we  know  there  is  nothing  produced  without 
labor,  yet  it  is  not  pleasant  to  be  always  forced  to  realize 
it.  Repose  is,  we  think,  almost  as  essential  to  the 
highest  charm  of  a  country  place  as  it  is  for  our  own 
comfort.  The  clink  of  the  hammer  and  the  sound  of 
the  anvil  are  all  very  well  in  their  way,  yet  one  does 
not  desire  to  hear  always  these  evidences  of  human  toil. 
If  therefore  we  surround  our  house  with  a  multiplicity 


GENERAL  REMARKS. 


433 


of  objects  requiring  constant  care  and  attention,  we  are 
never  free  from  the  labor  of  life.  The  highest  charm 
of  a  country  place  is  the  appearance  of  the  most  refined 
culture  and  beautiful  results  produced  without  apparent 
effort, 

In  fairy  tales,  or  fairy  plays  upon  the  stage,  the  fas- 
cination is  in  the  magic  result  produced  apparently  by 
the  touch  of  the  wand.  If  we  are  permitted  to  get 
behind  the  curtain  and  witness  the  hurry  and  vexation 
of  the  scene  shifters,  and  the  groaning,  shrieking  process 
by  which  to  the  unconscious  spectators  a  desert  sud- 
denly becomes  a  paradise,  we  immediately  realize  the 
apples  of  the  Dead  Sea.  We  do  not  enjoy  that  which 
we  see  is  produced  through  the  agency  of  aching  bones 
and  weary  limbs — and  this  is  one  reason  why  Nature 
is  so  attractive,  because  she  works  silently,  or  as  a  child 
once  expressed  it,  "  without  her  shoes." 

In  the  best  English  places,  to  such  an  extent  is  this 
feeling  carried  out,  that  the  entire  machinery  is  kept 
out  of  sight;  and  flowers  bloom,  and  lawns  are  shorn, 
and  walks  are  swept  by  invisible  hands,  at  such  hours 
as  the  family  is  supposed  not  to  come  out. 

It  is  told  of  the  late  Mr.  Beckford,  the  eccentric 
and  talented  author  of  Vatheck,  that  he  never  allowed 
any  work  to  be  done  at  Fonthill  Abbey  during  the  day  ; 
but'if  he  wished  a  walk  cut,  or  a  new  plantation  made, 
he  used  to  say  nothing  in  way  of  preparation,  but  merely 
gave  orders,  perhaps  late  in  the  afternoon,  that  the  im- 
provement or  alteration  should  be  completed  and  in  a  per- 
fect state  by  the  following  morning  at  the  time  he  came 
out  to  take  his  usual  ride.  The  whole  force  of  the  place 
and  the  strength  of  the  neighboring  village  were  then 
put  into  requisition  and  employed  all  night.  "We  men- 
tion this,  not  as  an  example — for  there  are  very  few  of 
us  who  would  or  could  afford  to  spend,  as  Mr.  Beck- 
ford  did  at  Fonthill,  twelve  or  fifteen  millions  of  dollars 
— but  simply  to  show  how  strongly  English  prejudice  is 
28 


434 


LANDSCA  PE  GARDENING. 


against  the  visible  connection  of  labor  with  the  imme- 
diate adornment  of  their  country  homes.  Labor  in  its 
proper  place — in  the  forest,  or  garden,  or  harvest  field — 
is  a  necessary  and  appropriate  feature  ;  but  they  strive 
to  banish  it  as  much  as  possible  from  the  repose  and 
quiet  and  simple  beauty  around  the  house,  by  pushing 
oif  to  more  distant,  and  as  they  think,  more  suitable 
localities,  those  operations  with  the  soil  which  require 
the  constant  supervision  and  presence  of  man.  It  is 
principally  on  this  account,  besides  the  other  reasons 
we  have  given,  that  the  best  examples  of  English  places 
present  a  simple  dignified  combination  of  trees  and 
lawn  about  the  house — certainly  on  two  or  three  sides — 
while  the  mass  of  pleasure  grounds  and  flower  gardens 
are  usually  at  some  distance. 

If  we  were  more  willing  in  this  country  to  follow  such 
good  examples,  and  aim  at  simplicity  and  breadth  of  ef- 
fect, instead  of  carving  up  our  grounds  about  our  houses 
with  "  fragmentary  pieces  of  misplaced  ornament,"  our 
places  would  not  be  so  lamentably  deficient  in  character 
and  beauty,  or  so  frittered  away  into  an  exceedingly  dis- 
tasteful and  artificial  appearance. 

Another  mistake  in  American  places  is  the  want  of  a 
proper  termination  to  the  ornamental  grounds,  or,  rather, 
some  intelligible  division  between  the  ornamental  and 
practical. 

We  use  the  expression  "  intelligible,"  because  we  all 
keep  (or  pretend  to)  under  the  roller  and  scythe,  every 
two  or  three  weeks,  a  certain  quantity  of  lawn,  say 
from  one  hundred  feet  to  an  acre  or  more,  and  at  the 
end  of  the  last  swarth  starts  up  a  hay-field,  which  is 
mown  over  perhaps  twice  in  the  season ;  but,  in  most 
cases,  there  seems  no  reason  why  the  lawn  should 
end  and  the  hay-field  begin  just  where  they  do,  instead 
of  ten  or  one  hundred  feet  one  way  or  the  other  ;  in  fact 
there  is  no  good  reason  ;  for  the  length  and  breadth  of 
the  lawn  often  depends  upon  the  horticultural  zeal  or 


GENERAL  REMARKS. 


435 


pecuniary  position  for  the  moment.  If  the  first  mow- 
ing of  the  season  is  made  under  the  receipt  of  an  in- 
creased or  unexpected  dividend,  the  lawn  gets  a  swarth 
or  two  more,  and  a  cock  or  two  of  hay  is  subtracted 
from  the  harvest ;  while  the  next  year,  under  a  smaller 
income,  thrift  conquers  taste,  and  the  lawn,  instead  of 
being  shorn  of  its  grass,  is  shorn  of  its  fair  proportions. 

In  order  to  make  some  appropriate  boundary  or  divis- 
ion between  the  lawn  and  the  park,  or  hay-field ;  in  other 
words,  between  the  dressed  and  undressed  portions  of 
the  estate,  great  use  has  been  made  of  late  years  of  the 
wire  fence  or  hurdle.  By  its  adoption  we  might  dimin- 
ish the  amount  of  lawn  now  kept  under  the  scythe,  ob- 
taining similar  results  by  substituting  cattle — especially 
sheep  —  and  increasing  very  much  the  charm  of  the 
landscape  by  the  introduction  of  animated  nature. 

The  keenest  eye  can  hardly  detect  a  wire  fence  at 
thirty  or  forty  rods  distance  ;  consequently  our  finest 
places  do  not  really  require  a  lawn  larger  than  twice 
this  breadth  in  diameter,  provided  the  grass  on  the 
other  side  of  the  wire  is  kept  equally  short  by  sheep. 

It  is  quite  astonishing  in  England  how  very  small  the 
proportion  of  mown  lawn  is  to  that  part  which,  by  use 
of  invisible  wire  fencing,  is  kept  equally  short  and 
almost  in  as  fine  order,  by  grazing. 

At  Windsor  Castle  we  doubt  if  the  mown  border  or 
strip  of  grass  round  the  park-side  of  the  castle  exceeds 
fifty  to  one  hundred  feet  up  to  the  wire  fence,  beyond 
which,  in  the  park,  are  large  masses  of  rhododenrons, 
laurels,  Portugal  laurels,  etc.,  protected  from  thousands 
of  deer  and  sheep  which  surround  them,  by  invisible  wire 
fences. 

At  Longleat,  the  magnificent  seat  of  the  Marquis  of 
Bath — which  Charles  II.  on  his  return  from  his  exile 
then  considered  the  finest  place  in  England — there  is  a 
strip  of  three  hundred  feet  of  mown  lawn  planted 
with  rare  shrubs,  between  the  river  and  one  side  only 


43G 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


of  the  house,  and  separated  from  six  hundred  acres,  or 
more,  of  grazed  park  by  the  invisible  wire  fence.  At 
Wilton  House  (Lord  Pembroke),  Appelder-Court,  Good- 
wood (the  Duke  of  Richmond's),  Blenheim,  Chatsworth, 
Stowe,  and  many  more  of  the  best  examples  of  English 
places  that  we  remember,  the  amount  of  moion  lawn 
consists  really  of  little  more  than  the  grass  borders  of 
walks,  or  the  strips  which  divided  or  surrounded  planta- 
tions in  the  gardens  and  shrubberies.  Three  sides  of 
the  houses  are  thrown  open,  and  kept  short  by  deer  and 
sheep. 

Although  grazing  is  not  as  profitable  in  this  country 
as  in  England,  where  the  soft,  mossy  grass  of  the  parks 
is  usually  verdant  and  green  all  summer,  yet  much 
more  can  be  done  than  is.  "We  know  many  a  fine 
place  where  large  expenditures  have  been  made  on 
houses  and  grounds,  where  the  entire  effect  has  been 
completely  destroyed  by  the  most  mistaken  economy 
of  allowing  the  fields  which  surround  the  house,  to  grow 
up  for  hay,  instead  of  being  kept  short  by  grazing  as  a 
park. 

In  order  to  save  a  few  hundred  dollars  of  hay,  the 
whole  effect  of  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  in 
houses  and  grounds  is  completely  lost. 

If  people  will  persist  in  this  mistaken  thrift,  why  do 
they  not  at  least  plant  their  grazing  or  hay-fields  in 
clumps  and  masses  of  trees,  appropriately  and  naturally 
placed  for  park-like  effects,  and  which  would  not  materi- 
ally interfere  with  the  plough  or  the  harrow,  when 
necessary  to  use  them. 

By  surrounding  these  plantations  with  invisible  wire 
fences,  which  are  quite  lost  against  the  foliage,  they 
could  at  any  time,  when  in  grass,  be  converted  into 
parks  simply  by  the  introduction  of  cattle  and  sheep. 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A  COUNTRY  PLACE. 


437 


SECTION  II. 

HOW  TO  MAKE  A  COUNTRY  PLACE. 

On  the  Continent  and  in  England,  it  is  rarely  that  a 
new  place  is  made  from  the  beginning.  The  taste  for 
country  life  having  existed  as  long  as  England  herself 
has  existed,  the  whole  kingdom  may  be  said  to  be  one 
universal  garden ;  all  who  can,  from  the  sovereign  to 
the  cit,  live,  at  least  some  portion  of  the  year,  in  the 
country ;  in  fact,  one's  respectability  is  not  complete, 
unless  he  is  a  landed  proprietor.  If,  as  we  said  in  our 
preface,  there  are  in  England  20,000  country  houses, 
each  larger  than  the  White  House,  at  Washington, 
there  are  more  than  twice  that  number,  a  great  deal 
smaller. 

Places  change  hands,  but  few  new  places  are  made. 
This  is  not  the  case  in  this  country.  We  have  but  few 
old  estates,  and  those,  whenever  offered  for  sale,  are 
generally  so  run  down  and  desolate  as  to  afford  little 
attraction  to  the  beginner  of  country  life;  besides  which 
the  universal  delusion  among  us  is  that  we  can  make  a 
country  place,  cheaper  than  we  can  buy  one.  While 
we  are  alarmed  at  a  sum  total,  we  easily  reconcile  our- 
selves to  progressive  expenditure,  until,  in  the  end,  we 
realize  "  that  fools  build  houses  and  wise  men  live  in 
them." 

This  is  one  great  reason,  we  have  always  thought,  why 
makers  of  new  places  so  soon  become  discontented  and 
discouraged,  and  ready  to  sell  out  at  a  sacrifice.  A 
man  who  hesitates  to  give  $20,000,  or  $100,000  for  a 


LANDSCAPE  G AUDITING. 


country  place,  and  even  feels  indignant  at  the  suppo- 
sition that  he  could  be  guilty  of  such  folly,  if  he  at- 
tempts to  make  his  own  place,  generally  ends  by  spend- 
ing twice  as  much. 

We  refuse  to  pay  $25,000,  and  we  hug  ourselves  with 
the  idea  that  our  land  will  cost  but  $6,000,  and  our 
house  $8,000,  and  our  stable  1,000,  and  sundries  $500. 
But  unfortunately  these  sundries  are  the  rocks  on  which 
much  rural  enthusiasm  is  lost.  It  is  the  ice-house  and 
the  root-house,  and  the  gardener's  house,  and  the  green- 
house, and  the  grape-house,  with  the  grading  and 
road  making,  and  trenching,  and  digging,  and  the 
labor  necessary  to  keep  these  all  up,  that  exhaust  both 
our  enthusiasm  and  our  purse,  and  make  us  see  in  the 
end  what  we  could  not  see  in  the  beginning,  viz :  That 
it  is  always  best  to  purchase  an  improved  place,  or  one 
partially  improved,  than  to  begin  one  in  the  raw.  For 
it  may  be  laid  down  as  an  inevitable  rule,  and  prevent 
much  subsequent  disappointment,  whenever  any  im- 
provements at  all  are  contemplated  (and  it  is  difficult, 
where  we  have  no  amusements  or  sports,  to  be  contented 
without  doing  something),  to  remember  one  fact,  that 
the  modern  accessories  to  a  country  placs  are  at  least 
equivalent  to  first  cost  of  house  and  grounds — that  is  to 
say,  where  the  improvements  are  in  keeping  with  the 
house  and  place,  and  continued  for  a  series  of  years. 

There  are  two  styles  of  new  places  most  commonly, 
we  think,  attempted  in  this  country,  viz  :  A  place  with- 
out any  foliage,  or  possibly  a  few  stunted  or  unavail- 
able trees,  where  all  the  effects  are  to  be  produced  by 
the  spade  (in  planting) ;  and,  secondly,  a  dense  wood, 
where  the  place  is  to  be  made  mostly  by  the  axe  :  and 
we  propose  to  illustrate  these  two  schools  by  giving 
the  history  of  our  own  residence  as  a  specimen  of  the 
latter,  and  "  Wellesley,"  the  residence  of  H.  H.  Hun- 
newell,  Esq.,  near  Boston,  as  a  specimen  of  the  former. 
We  should,  perhaps,  mention  here,  that  it  is  with  much 


HOW   TO  MAKE  A  COUNTRY  PLACE. 


439 


hesitation  we  find  ourselves  compelled  to  say  so  much 
about  these  two  places,  especially  our  own  ;  but  we 
have  known  them  both  from  their  commencement,  with 
all  their  sins  of  omission  and  commission ;  and  with 
all  the  motives  and  designs  for  each  step  taken  in  their 
improvement,  and  the  reason  why  every  tree  was 
planted  or  cut  down  on  either  place,  which  is  a  know- 
ledge we  have  of  no  other  place,  and  more  than  all,  as 
one  was  a  dense  wood  and  the  other  a  naked  field,  they 
are  better  examples  of  the  two  styles  than  any  other 
places  we  recollect,  even  if  we  had  been  equally 
familiar  with  others. 

When  we  purchased  our  own  place,  in  1840,  we  found 
a  house  partially  built  in  the  midst  of  a  wood,  but 
without  any  view,  though  we  were  aware  that  we  had, 
or  ought  to  have,  a  range  of  mountains  on  one  side,  the 
Hudson  River  on  the  other,  a  valley  on  the  third,  and 
a  long  range  of  country  on  the  fourth ;  but  between  us 
and  these  views,  and  all  more  or  less  around  us,  were 
thinly  scattered  houses,  which  were  far  from  agreeable 
accessories  to  the  landscape. 

We  felt,  after  studying  our  position,  that  our  plan 
ought  to  be  to  conceal  these  offensive  objects,  by  plant- 
ing them  out,  and  to  open  up  the  attractive  points  of 
river,  valley,  and  mountain ;  but  how  to  do  this  was  the 
question ! 

The  trees,  like  all  trees  grown  in  a  forest,  were  tall 
and  spindling,  hiding  out  with  their  heads  what  they 
should  not  have  concealed,  and  opening  through  their 
naked  stems  what  ought  to  have  been  hid  ;  our  object 
therefore,  was  to  get  the  branches  of  these  trees  (prin- 
cipally oaks  and  hickories)  down  near  the  ground,  in 
order  to  form  masses  and  groups,  not  only  to  hide  out  our 
boundaries  and  these  objectionable  houses,  but  also  to  pro- 
duce certain  effects  of  light  and  shade,  as  the  beginning 
and  basis  of  ornamental  planting.  We  accomplished 
this  in  part  by  topping  all  the  trees  which  had  any  signs 


440 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


of  vitality  in  their  lower  branches,  as  low  as  there  was 
young  wood  enough  to  carry  on  the  circulation.  Many 
trees  seventy  feet  in  height,  we  thus  reduced  to  thirty 
and  forty.  This  formed  a  thicket  of  background  from 
which  we  took,  year  by  year,  the  weakest  and  most 
misshapen ;  so  that  a  mass,  composed,  eighteen  years  ago, 
of  fifty  or  sixty  trees,  seventy  or  seventy-five  feet  high, 
is  now  reduced  to  twenty  or  thirty  trees  only  forty 
feet  high,  but  denser,  and  covering  much  more  space 
than  double  the  number  of  original  trees.  Where 
necessary  to  obtain  certain  extended  views,  we  cut  boldly 
and  irregularly  through  the  mass,  producing,  after  some 
years  growth,  the  effect  as  represented  in  Fig.  88, 
entitled,  "Yiew  from  Library  Window."  Where  we 
accomplished  two  distinct  landscapes — the  one  includ- 
ing a  charmingly  wooded  point  called  "  Presqu-ile," 
the  residence  of  Mr.  Denning,  with  a  distant  view  of 
Idlewild,  the  residence  of  E".  P.  Willis,  across  the 
river ;  and  the  other  a  portion  of  Pollapells'  island — 
with  a  fine  effect  of  the  Dunderberg  or  Storm  King, 
as  background. 

But,  in  process  of  time,  finding  that  from  the  irregular 
shape  of  the  house — a  view  of  the  river  side  of  which 
appears  as  frontispiece  to  this  Supplement — we  could,  by 
careful  planting  against  the  masses  forming  the  bound- 
aries to  the  view  referred  to  (Fig.  88),  not  only  produce 

more  agreeable  and  ornamental  effects  from  the  Will- 
ed 

dows,  but  confine  to  each  window  one  distinct  and 
separate  view,  which  should  be  seen  from  that  one 
window  and  that  alone — while  it  had  also  the  effect  of 
lengthening  and  extending  the  vistas,  making,  as  it 
were,  a  series  of  cabinet  pictures — we  advanced  an 
irregular  plantation  of  the  most  ornamental,  trees  in 
front  of  these  two  masses,  completely  masking  them; 
and  while  very  much  extending  the  view  by  an  apparent 
and,  indeed,  an  actual  elongation,  also  substituting  from 
the  windows  an  ornamental  grouping  between  the  house 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A  COUNTRY  PLACE. 


441 


and  the  natural  grouping,  which  is  omitted  in  this 
sketch. 

The  view  from  the  breakfast-room  window  (Fig.  89), 
opened  for  the  purpose  of  introducing  a  part  of  New- 
burgh  and  a  fine  wooded  bank  below  the  town,  was  made 
in  the  same  way — the  decapitated  forest  trees  having 
in  a  few  years  become  thick  and  umbrageous,  made  an 
admirable  back  ground  for  an  ornamental  facing  of  the 
choicest  trees,  both  deciduous  and  evergreen,  while 
these  various  masses,  all  now  more  or  less  surrounded 
witli  the  rarest  trees,  are  connected  together  and  made 
to  harmonize  by  small  irregular  groups  and  single 
trees,  blending  the  different  parts  into  one  whole,  but 
so  arranged  as  not  to  injure  the  most  striking  views — 
ample  space  being  left  for  the  full  development  of  single 
specimens  and  loose  groups. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  house — in  the  view  entitled, 
"View  across  the  park"  (Fig.  90) — our  intention  was 
to  attempt,  with  no  other  aid  but  the  axe,  a  park- 
like effect  by  the  grouping  and  massing  of  certain  native 
oaks,  without  the  aid  of  any  artificial  planting.  This  was 
effected  by  selecting  the  best  specimens  standing  suffi- 
ciently near  to  each  other  for  this  purpose,  and  leaving 
around  them  a  large  circle  of  forest  trees  as  nurses,  which 
we  thinned  out  from  year  to  year,  giving  the  permanent 
trees  more  and  more  light  and  space,  until  finally  they 
stood  alone,  and  have  since  continued  to  thrive  ;  though 
if  we  had  thinned  out  immediately  everything  about 
them,  they  would  probably  have  perished  from  the  too 
sudden  removal  of  their  accustomed  shelter,  but  by 
thinning  out  their  nurses  gradually  in  successive  years, 
the  trees  to  remain,  became  by  degrees  fortified  and 
strengthened  by  extended  roots,  and  now  stand  as  well 
alone  as  if  they  had  been  planted  for  this  purpose. 

The  boundaries  of  the  place  were  treated  in  a  similar 
manner  ;  the  original  trees  reduced  to  half  or  two-thirds 
their  height,  and,  when  thick  and  bushy,  faced  with 


442 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


ornamental  plantations,  as  an  arboretum,  with  collections 
of  trees  in  families,  and  also  a  portion  as  a  pinetum — 
each  genus  being  kept  by  itself— and  through  which  is  a 
walk  making  the  circuit  of  the  place  ;  the  whole  being 
divided  by  a  wire  fence  from  the  portion  above  des- 
cribed as  arranged  for  a  park,  which  is  kept  short  by 
cattle  and  sheep. 

All  the  space  necessary  for  vegetable  and  flower  gar- 
dens, pinetum,  arboretum,  orchards,  etc.,  was,  of  course, 
taken  entirely  from  the  wood — the  trees  being  cut  down 
and  their  roots  grubbed  up. 

Having  attempted  to  describe  a  place  made  by  the 
axe,  out  of  a  wood,  we  will  now  give  some  account  of 
the  other  and  different  style  of  country  residence  before 
referred  to,  entirely  by  the  spade  and  from  the  ground. 

The  whole  estate  at  "Wellesley"  consists,  we  be- 
lieve, of  two  hundred  acres,  being  an  unimproved  por- 
tion of  an  old  family  place  of  many  hundred  acres. 

The  part  selected  by  Mr.  Hunnewell  for  the  orna- 
mental improvement  of  his  grounds  comprises  about 
forty  acres,  originally  a  flat,  sandy,  arid  plain,  which, 
when  he  took  it  in  hand,  in  1851,  only  seven  years 
since,  was  more  or  less  covered  with  a  tangled  growth 
of  dwarf  pitch  pine,  scrub  oak,  and  birch,  all  of  which 
were  cut  down  and  ploughed  up. 

The  first  thing  done  was  to  trench  over  and  thorough- 
ly prepare  with  composted  muck,  an  acre  or  more  for  a 
nursery,  which  was  planted  with  large  quantities  of 
Norway  spruce,  white  pines,  balsams,  Austrian  pines, 
Scotch  firs,  larch,  beech,  oaks,  elms,  maples,  etc.,  mostly 
imported  from  England,  not  over  twelve  to  fifteen 
inches  high,  with  some  few  native  trees  of  greater  age, 
previously  prepared.  The  lawn  was  then  graded,  sub- 
soiled,  and  a  large  portion  trenched  by  spade,  and  after 
being  very  heavily  manured  and  enriched  with  com- 
post, was  for  several  years  cultivated  in  order  to  amelior- 
ate and  subdue  the  soil ;  the  boundaries  of  the  place, 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A  COUNTRY  PLACE. 


443 


especially  on  the  exposed  part  towards  the  public  road, 
were  then  trenched  over  twenty  to  fifty  feet  broad, 
heavily  composted  and  planted  with  a  judicious  mixture 
of  evergreens  and  ornamental  trees.  The  border,  how- 
ever, for  many  years,  until  the  trees  were  fifteen  to 
twenty  feet  high,  and  in  many  cases  touched  each  other, 
was  annually  enriched  and  planted  in  potatoes,  the  crop 
being  some  remuneration  for  the  expense. 

The  next  step  after  deciding  upon  the  situation  of  the 
house,  was  to  form  the  avenues  and  plant  them  ;  the  one 
from  the  Boston  entrance,  with  alternating  Pinus  excelsa, 
and  Magnolia  tripetala  at  one  end,  and  with  large  mas- 
ses of  rhododendrons,  Kalmia  latifolia,  Mahonias,  and 
other  rare  evergreen  shrubs,  as  a  frontage  to  a  back  ground 
of  Norway  spruces  at  the  other  ;  until  the  road  reaches 
the  Italian  garden,  with  a  view  of  the  lake  on  one  side, 
and  the  house  and  lawn  on  the  other,  when  the  avenue 
effect  of  the  planting  ceases — and  groups,  masses,  and 
single  specimens,  and  the  ornamental  arrangement, 
shown  in  the  view,  commences. 

The  other  avenue  from  the  Natick  entrance  is  plant- 
ed with  rows  of  white  pine  and  larch,  now,  perhaps, 
twenty  to  twenty-five  feet  high,  and  being  all  fine 
trees,  the  effect  is  already  very  marked. 

The  next  step  was  to  plant  the  lawn  of  about  eight 
acres  with  the  best  specimens  selected  from  the  nurseries 
or  border  plantations.  This  has  been  most  cleverly  and 
successfully  done,  much  of  it  in  the  winter  with  frozen 
balls  and  with  the  most  ornamental  and  choicest  trees  ;  in 
some  cases  large  specimens  twenty  to  thirty  feet  high 
were  brought  twenty  miles,  but  even  after  the  clumps, 
masses,  and  single  specimens  on  the  lawn  were  arranged 
and  planted,  it  was  still  annually  enriched  and  cultivated, 
and  the  ground  around  each  tree  and  mass  of  trees  is, 
even  to  this  day,  kept  clean  to  a  circle  following  the 
drip  of  the  branches. 

The  house,  a  front  or  entrance  view  of  which  is  given 


444 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


in  Plate  ILL,  was  then  built,  having  among  other  fine 
features,  a  hall  of  54x18  feet  running  through  it ;  on 
one  side,  the  fine  extent  of  simple  and  dignified  lawn, 
and  on  the  other  side  is  a  French  parterre  or  architec- 
tural garden  (Plate  IV.)  with  fountains,  bordered  by 
heavy  balustrades,  surmounted  at  intervals  by  vases, 
with  steps  leading  through  a  series  of  terraces  to  the 
lake,  a  fine  sheet  of  water  of  about  a  mile  in  extent, 
having  a  peculiarly  varied  and  beautiful  outline.  From 
this  French  parterre,  stretches  off  on  the  right  the 
ornamental  or  English  pleasure-grounds,  a  part  of  the 
same  view,  showing  the  summer-house  very  artist- 
ically rusticated,  with  colored  glass  windows,  pro- 
ducing very  curious  effects  of  contrast  by  the  stained 
glass. 

From  this  we  pass  along  the  lake  to  the  Italian  garden, 
of  which  we  have  given  a  view  in  Plate  Y.,  and  which 
is  the  most  successful,  if  not  the  only  one  as  yet  in 
the  country.  The  effect,  especially  by  moonlight,  of 
the  lake  seen  through  the  balustrades  of  the  parapet, 
and  among  the  vases  and  statues  which  surmount  it — 
with  the  splashing  of  the  fountain,  and  the  very  unique 
features,  at  least  in  this  country,  of  the  formally  clipped 
trees  and  topiary  work,  quite  lead  us  to  suppose  we 
are  on  the  lake  of  Como. 

To  Mr.  Hunnewell,  we  believe,  is  due  the  merit  of 
having  first  attempted  to  clip  our  white  pine,  and  the 
result  shows  that  it  bears  the  shears  quite  as  well  as  the 
hemlock  or  yew  ;  though  in  the  garden  are  equally 
successful  specimens  of  clipped  Norways,  balsams,  arbor 
vitse,  the  English  maple,  the  beech  and  Scotch  firs. 

From  the  Italian  garden  we  cross  the  avenue  into  a 
wood,  through  which  winds  a  walk  planted  on  either 
side  with  a  very  extensive  and  satisfactory  pinetum, 
containing  all  the  rarest  and  newest  conifers  and  ever- 
green shrubs,  and  which  with  the  slight  protection  from 
the  winter's  sun,  seem  to  thrive  exceedingly  well. 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A  COUNTRY  PLACE. 


445 


Among  other  features  of  this  place,  and  accomplished 
like  everything  else,  within  seven  years,  are  various 
vistas  through  different  avenues  planted  for  this  pur- 
pose— some  of  purple  beech,  others  of  white  pine — all 
of  which  will  in  a  few  years  become  very  interesting 
and  effective. 

If  to  the  above  we  add  the  extensive  and  well- 
conducted  vegetable  and  fruit  gardens  surrounded  by 
most  admirably  kept  hedges,  an  abundance  of  well 
trained  fruit  trees,  peach,  grape,  and  green-houses, 
and  a  steam  engine  for  forcing  water  into  a  reservoir, 
from  which  distributing  pipes  conduct  it  over  all  the 
gardens,  we  shall,  we  think,  conclude  a  description  of 
a  place  almost  unequaled  in  this  country,  considering 
the  few  years  only  it  has  existed. 

Mr.  Hunnewell's  success  has  been  attributable  in  the 
first  place,  to  working  on  a  plan — making  no  or  few 
mistakes — having  little  or  nothing  to  undo,  and  lastly, 
having  the  taste  and  ability  to  do  everything  thoroughly 
and  well ;  alwTays  keeping  up  what  has  been  done, 
so  that  neither  tree  or  flowTer,  or  lawn,  is  ever  permitted 
to  flag. 

Of  the  two  places  above  described  as  illustrating  the 
two  schools  most  common  in  this  country,  we  believe 
we  shall  afford  consolation  to  many  beginners  of  naked 
places  by  saying  that  our  experience  is  extremely  ad- 
verse to  all  attempts  of  converting  a  wood  into  any 
thing  ornamental. 

If  two  places  of  the  same  size  were  commenced  the 
same  day,  by  persons  of  equal  taste,  knowledge,  and 
means,  one  a  wood  and  the  other  a  naked  plain,  at  the 
end  of  ten  years  the  naked  plain  would  be  the  finer 
and  more  satisfactory. 

In  the  first  place,  if  one  in  planting,  will  make  their 
holes  wide  and  deep  enough,  and  with  judicious  prepa- 
ration of  the  soil ;  if  instead  of  the  ordinary  three 
feet  wide  by  two  feet  deep,  our  holes  are  prepared 


446 


LA  N I  >S< !  A  V 1  ■:   ( i  A  KD  KNING. 


twelve  feet  wide  and  six  feet  deep,  it  would  be  easy 
enough  to  predict  the  result  at  the  end  of  five  or  six 
years.  Besides  which  it  is  a  very  simple  matter  to  know 
the  effect  certain  trees  or  certain  groups  of  trees  are 
going  to  produce  by  setting  up  a  few  stakes,  which 
shall  cover  the  same  extent  of  ground;  and  it  is  a 
very  easy  matter  to  move  these  groups  of  stakes  until 
they  are  rightly  and  properly  placed  beyond  any  ques- 
tion, and  then  to  proceed  with  our  planting.  By  con- 
tinuing in  this  way  with  all  our  planting  we  may,  as 
we  have  shown  elsewhere,  get  every  thing  placed,  with- 
out the  possibility  of  error. 

It  is  impossible  to  do  this  in  a  wood.  We  cannot 
carve  out  the  views  and  the  groups  and  masses,  exactly 
as  we  wish,  because  we  cannot  find  the  trees  always 
ready  to  assist  us.  It  often  happens  that  the  finest  tree  is 
just  where  wTe  should  prefer  to  have  none;  and  where 
we  want  density  and  bulk  to  hide  unsightly  objects,  we 
have  naked  poles  of  fifty  feet,  with  ten  feet  of  brush 
up  in  the  sky  instead  of  where  it  should  be,  on  the  ground. 
There  is  no  remedy  in  such  cases  but  to  cut  down  our 
fine  tree  or  abandon  the  view  it  hides,  and  also  to  cut 
down  our  unavailable  giants  and  to  plant  in  their  places. 
We  are,  in  this  instance,  not  as  wTell  off  as  our  friend 
without  trees,  because  we  have  to  do  all  that  he  does 
with  the  additional  labor  of  grubbing  up  the  old  stumps 
and  renewing  the  soil  before  planting.  There  are,  to 
be  sure,  instances  as  we  have  mentioned  in  our  own 
case  above,  where  we  can  make  the  native  forest  avail- 
able by  topping  those  trees  which  will  admit  it,  and  by 
planting  among  and  in  front  of  them ;  but  even  this, 
for  many  years,  is  not  satisfactory.  The  dignity  of  the 
original  trees,  if  any  dignity  is  left,  is  much  injured  and 
frittered  away  by  being  side  by  side  with  our  newly 
planted  Norway s  and  hemlocks  of  only  three  feet  in 
height ;  while  our  own  trees,  which,  in  a  few  years  at 
least,  would  make  their  mark  where  no  comparisons 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A   COUNTRY  PLACE. 


44? 


could  be  instituted,  always  appear  to  disadvantage  in 
connection  with  the  forest,  besides  the  injury  to  their 
progress  from  the  roots  and  drip  of  their  hungry  and 
uncouth  companions. 

There  is,  to  be  sure  a  certain  class  or  condition  of 
wrood  which  chance  or  design  has  from  year  to  year 
thinned  out,  and  cattle  cleared  of  undergrowth,  re- 
sembling the  oak  openings  of  the  West,  which  becomes 
after  a  while  a  sort  of  natural  park,  most  desirable  for 
country  residences,  but  the  thick,  tangled,  inextricable 
wood  which  will  not  readily  admit  any  amelioration, 
but  always  returns  for  your  attempted  improvement, 
sickly  and  dying  trees,  pointing  at  you  from  every  direc- 
tion their  weird  and  skeleton  limbs,  as  if  in  derision 
and  mockery  at  your  efforts,  had  better  be  left  alone  in 
its  wildness,  or  no  attempts  made  to  reform  it. 

The  proper  way,  we  have  always  thought,  to  make  a 
country  place,  where  there  are  no  trees  already  existing, 
is,  as  we  have  already  described  as  in  Mr.  ITunnewell's 
case,  to  dig  an  irregular  border  all  round  the  boundary, 
or  at  least  on  those  sides  exposed  to  public  roads  or  dis- 
agreeable objects,  and  to  plant  this  with  a  judicious 
mixture  of  deciduous  and  evergreen  trees  of  two  or 
three  feet  high,  either  imported  from  Europe  for  a  few 
dollars  the  hundred,  or  purchased  from  our  own  nurseries 
at  wholesale  prices. 

We  do  not  mean  by  this  to  be  understood  as  recom- 
mending one  of  those  formal  belts  so  much  employed 
in  the  time  of  Brown,  but  a  picturesque  boundary,  with 
bays  and  recesses,  and  projecting  curves,  occasionally 
employing  the  denser  and  more  umbrageous  trees  where 
distant  and  unsightly  objects  are  to  be  excluded  ;  and 
again  the  lowest  growing  shrubs  to  admit  the  landscape 
beyond  the  boundaries  when  it  is  desirable  to  do  so. 
This  border  may,  the  first  few  years,  be  employed 
as  a  nursery  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  all  the  trees, 
shrubs  and  plants  required  for  the  future  and  entire 


448 


LANDSCAPK  GAKDKNING. 


planting  and  embellishing  of  the  place,  and  may  be 
thinned  out  from  year  to  year  as  the  trees  crowd  each 
other,  or  may  be  wanted  for  progressive  improvement 
and  separate  planting,  until  as  the  place  advances  and 
the  border  becomes  annually  thinned  for  this  purpose 
it  is  at  last  reduced  simply  to  such  a  number  of  plants, 
(which  must  be  suffered  to  remain),  as  are  required  to 
produce  the  effects  and  objects  above  described. 

During  the  first  year  or  so,  the  proprietor  may,  at 
his  leisure,  study  the  planting  of  his  place,  without 
the  loss  of  that  time  so  precious  to  all  good  Americans, 
as  his  trees  are  already  growing — not  in  their  final 
place,  but  in  his  border  nursery.  To  do  this  effectu- 
ally and  properly  he  must  employ  a  quantity  of  stakes 
or  poles  ten  to  twelve  feet  high,  and  by  placing  first 
a  stake  where  he  thinks  a  tree  should  be  planted, 
and  then  several  smaller  stakes  at  such  a  distance 
around  it  as  his  books  or  his  own  knowledge  may  in- 
form him  will  be  the  extension  of  the  tree  when  full 
grown.  By  carefully  observing  this  collection  of  stakes 
from  his  point  of  view,  which,  as  a  general  rule  should 
be  the  principal  room  of  the  house,  he  will  at  once  see 
whether  it  is  in  the  right  place,  whether  it  is  too  near 
the  road  or  walk,  or  will  injure  a  view.  When  satisfied 
by  many  observations — and  it  would  be  well  if  made 
from  many  points  of  view,  all,  however,  subservient  to 
the  principal  point — that  the  centre  stake  is  correctly 
placed,  let  him  substitute  for  it  a  small  stake  eight  or 
ten  inches  high,  with  the  name  of  the  tree  to  be  planted 
there  legibly  written  on  it.  In  the  Autumn  or  Spring, 
whichever  may  be  the  proper  time  for  transplanting — 
let  the  hole  be  dug  at  leisure,  properly  and  care- 
fully prepared,  and  let  a  tree  be  selected  from  the 
border  nursery  on  a  damp  or  rainy  day,  and  as  properly 
and  carefully  planted.  Pursue  this  course  with  all  the 
single  trees,  groups,  and  masses  to  be  planted  on  the 
grounds,  and  if  judiciously  done  the  most  complete 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A  COUNTRY  PLACE. 


449 


satisfaction  will  be  the  result ;  because  one  may  not 
only  make  up  their  own  mind  by  studying  their  groups 
of  poles,  for  weeks  or  months,  even,  but  they  can  also 
have  the  advantage  of  criticism  from  intelligent  visitors, 
and  if  the  poles  are  wrong  it  is  much  easier  to  remove 
them  than  the  trees. 

If  it  were  our  object  to  make  the  most  thorough  place 
with  the  greatest  expedition  and  fewest  mistakes,  we 
should  j>lant  every  group,  mass,  and  single  specimen  in 
poles,  and  allow  them  to  remain  when  the  trees  were 
both  in  and  out  of  leaf,- in  order  to  be  quite  certain 
that  the  planting  worked  equally  well  in  all  seasons, 
and  also  to  study  and  be  quite  sure  we  were  right  in 
the  harmony  and  selection  we  made  of  varieties  for 
forming  groups  and  masses. 

Although  the  process  may  seem  slow  and  tedious  to 
new  beginners,  yet  we  are  quite  sure  a  place  thus 
treated  will,  at  the  end  of  four  or  five  years,  be  far  more 
advanced  and  much  more  judiciously  and  successfully 
planted  than  by  the  more  ordinary  and  hasty  method. 
In  the  first  place,  there  will  be  no  mistakes — no  un- 
doing— on  the  contrary,  the  planting  of  the  place  is  the 
making  of  the  border :  and  in  the  second  place,  the  trees 
will  be  better  specimens,  because  we  may  at  our  leisure 
select  from  our  border  the  best  plants,  and  have  them 
much  better  planted,  inasmuch  as  when  the  spot  for  the 
tree  is  selected,  the  hole  may  be  dug  months,  if  neces- 
sary, before  used — which,  for  spring  planting,  is  most 
advantageous,  by  submitting  the  soil  to  the  action  of  the 
frost.  Whereas  in  the  usual  method,  we  go  to  a  nursery 
and  order  a  certain  quantity  of  plants,  and  when  they 
arrive,  possibly  on  a  disagreeable,  windy  day,  we  set 
about  in  the  greatest  hurry  to  dig  holes  and  plant  our 
trees,  without  in  the  least  knowing  the  effects  they  are 
to  make  or  mar  when  fully  grown. 

It  is  this  careless  method  which  produces  so  much 
bad  planting  and  ruins  so  many  country  places.  How 
29 


450 


LANDSCAPE  GAKDENING. 


rarely  do  we  see  trees  planted  at  sufficient  distance 
from  each  other,  or  from  roads,  or  walks,  or  houses.  One 
plants  a  pine  or  Norway  spruce  three  or  four  feet  high 
at  about  the  same  distance  from  the  margin  of  a  road. 
There  are  many  approaches  that  we  know  of  bordered 
by  pines  and  Norway  spruces,  with  the  trees  five  or  six 
feet  only  from  the  border.  When  these  trees  get  a  few 
years  older  they  must  be  removed  or  trimmed  up,  and 
if  a  pine  only  ten  or  twelve  years  old  is  to  be  trimmed 
up  sufficiently  high  to  admit  the  passage  of  carriages 
under  it,  it  is  very  easy  to  see  how  little  beauty  is  left. 
If  in  planting  avenues  one  would  first  plant  stakes, 
they  would  soon  discover,  that  to  employ  pines,  firs, 
beeches,  or,  in  fact,  any  tree  proper  for  this  purpose, 
the  trees  should  be  set  back  at  least  twenty-five  to  forty 
feet  from  the  margin,  so  as  to  be  in  proper  position 
when  fully  grown.  In  order  to  prevent  the  meagre 
appearance  of  clumps  or  masses,  or  avenues  properly 
planted  for  future  results,  there  is  no  objection  to  closer 
planting  for  immediate  effect,  care  being  taken  that 
the  latter  are  cut  down  or  removed  from  year  to  year, 
before  they  crowd  or  injure  the  permanent  trees.  In  this 
way  with  judgment  and  taste,  a  place  may  have  the 
appearance  of  finish  within  a  year  or  two  ;  the  present 
group  and  mass  producing  similar  effects  except  less 
light  and  shade,  and  .covering  the  same  ground  as  will 
be  produced  in  twenty  or  thirty  years  by  the  two  or 
three  permanent  trees,  which,  by  that  time  are  all  that 
will  be  permitted  to  remain. 

By  this  method  of  planting,  which  we  recommend, 
we  have  an  opportunity  which  is  impossible  in  the  ordi- 
nary way,  of  studying  the  character  and  habits  of  the 
trees,  which,  later  in  the  season,  we  propose  to  substi- 
tute for  our  poles — to  learn  how  they  group,  how  they 
harmonize  in  habit,  color,  or  growth,  and  we  are  thus 
enabled  to  produce  some  of  those  charming  artistic 
effects  by  skillful  combinations  of  color  and  habit,  which 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A  COUNTRY  PLACE. 


451 


nature  so  pleasingly  exhibits  in  her  own  planting.  Very 
few  attempts,  to  our  knowledge,  have  as  yet  been  made, 
in  this  country,  in  what  is  called  "  artistic  planting,"  that 
is,  where  reference  is  had  to  those  effects  attained 
by  combination  of  certain  colors  ;  for  instance,  in  order 
to  increase  the  effect  of  a  vista  or  opening,  by  plant- 
ing the  darker  foliage  nearest  the  eye,  and  the  lighter 
at  the  more  distant  point  of  view,  or  by  planting  two 
trees  in  the  same  hole  in  order  to  produce  picturesque 
effects  in  contrast  to  the  more  formal  or  gardenesque 
planting  on  the  place.  We  remember  to  have  seen  at 
Ouchy,  on  the  Lake  of  Geneva,  that  most  graceful  tree, 
the  "Weeping Silver  birch,  planted  in  the  same  hole  with 
a  pretty,  drooping,  fragile,  dark-looking  cedar ;  and  the 
two  (some  twenty-five  years  old)  had  grown  up  to- 
gether like  two  loving  sisters,  and  their  dark  and  sil- 
very foliage  and  graceful  arms  gently  entwined  together, 
seemed  to  cling  fondly  to  each  other  for  support — the 
Minna  and  Brenda  of  the  woods. 

A  selection  and  blending  of  trees  with  reference  to 
their  autumnal  colors,  is  another  refinement  yet  little 
practiced  in  this  country.  A  group,  for  example,  of 
our  ash,  the  different  maples,  the  liquid-amber,  the  sour 
gum,  the  dogwood,  etc.,  judiciously  toned  down  in  color, 
from  the  darkest  and  richest  to  the  lightest,  will  present 
a  combination,  which,  for  brilliancy  and  gorgeousness, 
would  be  hardly  credible  to  those  who  had  not  witnessed 
the  result. 

In  connection  with  this  subject,  we  have  made  use  of 
some  memoranda  of  a  visit  to  several  places  in  Italy, 
some  years  since,  as  illustrative  of  artistic  planting, 
from  which,  notwithstanding  the  advantages  of  climate, 
it  is  very  easy  to  see  how  very  far  we  yet  fall  short  in 
this  sort  of  perfection. 

The  place  which  we  have  most  particularly  in  our 
mind,  at  present,  is  a  bold  promontory  in  the  Lake  of 
Como,  called  jBellagio,  belonging  to  the  Duchess  of 


452 


LAIS'  1  )SCAPB  G AKDKNING . 


Bologna,  having  a  position  not  very  unlike  that  of  "West 
Point  on  the  Hudson — supposing  that  the  river  forked 
there,  one  arm  running  on  each  side.  You  stand  on  this 
promontory  and  look  down  one  lake  twenty  miles  to  Como ; 
and  this  view  is  similar,  though  finer,  from  the  moun- 
tains being  higher  and  more  delicate,  to  the  view  down 
the  North  River,  from  Kosciusko's  monument ;  and  then 
on  the  other  side,  you  look  as  it  might  be  upon  a  portion 
of  the  river  running  between  Crow-Nest  and  West 
Point  dock,  some  twenty  miles  also  down  the  lake  to 
Lecco ;  you  then  look  up,  as  if  to  Newburgh,  and  see, 
at  about  this  distance  (nine  miles)  the  Alps,  in  snow- 
clad  majesty.  The  whole  promontory  does  not,  we  be- 
lieve, exceed  five  acres,  rising  conically  perhaps  six 
hundred  feet  from  the  water  ;  but  the  walks,  which  are 
graveled  or  paved  with  very  small  pebbles,  are  three 
or  four  miles  in  extent,  most  admirably  managed  by 
means  of  dense  plantations,  tmnnels,  and  bridges.  The 
promontory  from  the  lake  seems  heavily  wooded ;  and 
yet  everything  has  been  done  by  art.  The  deep  shade 
has  been  produced  by  the  most  charming  undergrowth 
of  cypresses,  laurel,  casuaria,  myrtle,  and  English  yews. 

You  enter  through  a  cavern  into  a  glen,  quite  spectral 
in  its  midnight  darkness,  surrounded  by  immense  Italian 
pines,  and  an  undergrowth  of  yew ;  you  are  then  let 
out,  as  it  were,  into  daylight,  and  into  a  charming  peep 
of  one  of  the  lakes,  by  the  most  delicate  gradations  of 
dark  to  light,  first  going  through  not  only  the  colors  but 
also  the  changes  of  form  of  the  following  trees  :  Cedars 
of  Lebanon,  Pinus  excelsa,  deodars,  and  weeping  larches, 
which  actually  wave  and  dance  you  out  into  the  sun- 
light. 

After  these  trees,  you  shortly  commence  in  the  midst 
of  a  blazing  sun,  among  the  most  feathery  and  delicate 
of  the  acacias,  and  grow  cooler  and  darker  with  the 
coarser  varieties,  and  the  rose  acacia,  all  enchantingly 
entangled  with  the  Chinese  wistaria,  which  here  flowers 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A  COUNTRY  PLACE. 


453 


all  summer.  After  struggling  through  purple  beeches, 
and  some  other  dark  foliage,  you  get  out  through  a 
lovely  grove  of  araucarias,  Pinus  excelsa,  Pinus  longi- 
folia,  and  Abies  Douglasii ;  from  this  you  emerge 
into  a  little  lawn,  quite  surrounded  by  high  cliffs,  cov- 
ered with  superb  plantations  of  aloes,  bananas,  pepper 
trees,  and  white  and  scarlet  horse-chestnuts,  and  a  col- 
lection of  rhododendrons,  dazzling  from  their  gorgeous- 
ness. 

This  lawn  was  devoted  to  magnolias  of  every  possible 
variety,  of  which  some  eight  or  ten  sorts  were,  when 
we  saw  them,  in  flower  —  the  air  being  heavy  with 
their  perfume.  These  were  in  masses  and  as  single 
specimens. 

You  left  this  oasis  by  the  only  way  it  seemed  possible 
to  get  out — a  cavern  in  the  rocks,  through  which  you 
passed,  until  you  again  entered  profound  darkness — 
gradually  the  light  returned — at  last  you  reached  a 
point  from  which  two  vistas  opened,  one  down  the  lake 
to  Como,  the  other  down  the  lake  to  Lecco ;  you  looked 
at  these  as  at  a  picture  through  a  darkened  tube,  for  the 
cavern  was  formed  apparently  for  this  purpose  ;  these 
tunnels  led  you  out  to  a  walk  bordered  by  natural  rock, 
perhaps  twenty  feet  high,  covered  by  lamarque  and  the 
Banksian  roses  in  such  a  profusion  of  bloom,  that  the 
wall  had  the  appearance  of  being  painted  white  and 
yellow.  On  the  other  side  the  walk  was  bordered  by 
masses  of  choice  azalias,  in  every  variety  of  color,  and 
flowers  some  eight  and  ten  feet  high.  Passing  a  charm- 
ing cascade  overhung  with  weeping  beeches,  waving 
birches,  and  different  varieties  of  willows,  the  walk  led 
through  a  maze  of  Judas  trees  (pink  and  white),  all  the 
varieties  of  double  thorns,  the  laburnum  (purple  and 
yellow),  and  becoming  umbrageous  and  mazy,  with  purple 
beeches,  purple  berberries,  and  purple  filberts  ;  finally 
coming  out  again  clear  and  bright  through  different 
varieties  of  heath  and  acacia,  upon  a  little  platform 


454 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


looking  up  the  third  lake,  and  to  the  snowy  Alps,  and 
down  a  perpendicular  precipice  of  some  six  hundred 
feet  into  an  exquisite  flower  garden  below,  into  which, 
you  are  prevented  from  falling,  by  a  parapet  interlaced 
with  every  variety  of  honeysuckle  and  clematis. 

The  other  walk  from  the  cavern  led  along  a  similar 
wall  of  rock,  pierced  with  holes,  having  an  occasional 
frame  of  rustic  work,  covered  with  air  plants  (orchids) 
and  parasites.  This  led  by  a  grand  terrace,  balustrated 
and  statued,  and  commanding  the  three  lakes  to  the 
palace. 

"We  have  attempted  to  give  our  recollection  of  this 
wonderful  spot ;  not  that  we  expect  it  to  be  a  model 
for  anything  yet  to  be  done  in  America,  but  because  it 
is  the  only  place  we  remember  to  have  seen  in  any  part 
of  the  world  which  we  have  visited  where  a  great 
work  of  art  has  been  produced  in  a  very  considerable 
degree  by  the  forms  and  colors  of  trees.  The  dim  and 
sombre  effects  of  the  caverns  and  tunnels  have  been 
marvelously  extended  and  increased  by  the  deep,  dark, 
purple  colors  selected  for  this  purpose,  while  the  gay, 
graceful,  sparkling  spray  and  glitter  of  the  fairy-like 
acacias,  are  so  blended  and  interwoven  with  the  sun- 
shine that  one  cannot  but  feel,  how  much  even  nature, 
grand  as  she  always  is,  can  some  times  be  aided  by 
man.  There  are  many  bold  and  prominent  bluffs  and 
promontories  in  this  country  on  our  beautiful  and  pictur- 
esque rivers  and  majestic  lakes  where  much  of  the  ar- 
tistic beauty  of  Bellagio  can  be  accomplished  by  judi- 
cious and  tasteful  planting,  and  although  we  have  not  a 
climate  which  admits  hedges  of  oleander  and  myrtle,  at 
least  at  the  North,  yet  when  we  know  the  colors,  forms 
and  habits  of  many  trees  which  have  as  yet  never 
been  employed  in  ornamental  landscape,  we  shall  be 
surprised  to  find  how  much  material  we  have  for  pro- 
ducing the  most  remarkable  and  the  most  pleasing 
results. 


NEWER  DECIDUOUS  TREES  AND  SHRUBS.  455 


SECTION  III. 

THE  NEWER   DECIDUOUS    ORNAMENTAL   TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 

We  do  not  intend  in  this  section  to  occupy  the  atten- 
tion of  the  reader  by  any  preliminary  remarks  as  to  the 
ornamental  or  practical  value  of  any  of  the  varieties 
we  shall  describe.  Mr.  Downing  has  already,  to  a 
great  extent,  done  this  in  the  preceding  portion  of  the 
book.  It  remains  for  us  simply  to  introduce  to  planters 
such  new  scions  and  connections  of  their  older  friends 
— the  results,  sometimes  of  inter-marriage  between  the 
ancient  families,  producing  hybrids  and  crosses — and 
sometimes  from  the  new  discoveries  of  trees,  which  the 
increased  intercourse  all  over  the  world  has  enabled 
collectors  and  societies  to  make.  With  this  introduction 
we  shall  proceed  at  once  to  describe  those  trees  and 
plants  omitted  in  the  previous  edition  and  which  our 
observation  has  induced  us  to  believe  are  well  worthy 
the  attention  of  amatuers. 

Acer.    The  Maple. 

A.  Campestre,  erroneously  campestris  of  the  Catalogues  (the 
Common  or  English  Field  maple). — This  is  a  beautiful,  com- 
pact, round-headed  tree,  or  rather  bush,  rarely  exceeding  twenty 
or  twenty-five  feet  in  height,  and,  if  allowed  to  assume  its  natural 
shape,  quite  as  broad  as  it  is  high.  This  tree,  which  is  one  of 
the  most  ornamental  of  the  maples,  is  very  rarely  to  be  met 
with,  though  common,  we  believe,  in  our  best  nurseries.  It  is 
a  tree,  above  all  others  of  its  kind,  suited  to  small  lawns,  where 
it  should  stand  alone,  or  on  the  outside  of  loose  gardenesque 
groups,  where  it  is  accessible  on  all  sides  ;  since  the  character 


456 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


of  its  growth  is  so  regular  and  formal  (in  shape  of  a  bee-hive), 
that  it  does  not  harmonize  with  wild  or  picturesque  plantations, 
but  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  neighborhood  of  the  house  or 
to  the  more  formal  trees,  like  the  horse-chestnut  and  linden* 
The  finest  specimen  we  recollect  to  have  seen,  is  at  the  late 
Mr.  Downing's,  which  is  nearly  fully  grown  ;  a  specimen  at 
Wodenethe,  about  fifteen  feet  high,  and  nearly  as  wide,  is  ex- 
tremely beautiful.  The  largest  specimens  in  England  are  at 
Kew,  fifty  years  planted,  twenty-six  feet  high ;  at  Milbury 
Park,  one  hundred  years  planted,  thirty-eight  feet  high.  It 
should  never  be  trimmed  up  ;  on  the  contrary,  if  by  accident 
the  lower  limbs  are  injured  or  lost,  the  tree  should  be  severely 
headed  back  to  encourage  new  growth  from  the  ground. 

A.  c.  foliis  variegatis  (the  Variegated  maple). — A  variety  of 
A.  campeslre — very  much  of  its  character  and  habit,  though 
perhaps  a  little  looser.  This  tree  is  extremely  pretty  and  ef- 
fective up  to  mid-summer,  especially  when  placed  on  the  bounda- 
ries of  plantations,  as  it  catches  the  light  well ;  after  July,  it  is 
apt  to  burn  and  get  shabby  during  the  dry  weather.  There  is 
another  Striped  or  Blotched-leaved  maple,  which  is  a  variety 
of  the  A.  pseudo  platanus,  which  is  still  larger  and  less  compact 
than  the  preceding,  and  equally  worthy  of  being  planted  by 
those  who  fancy  variegated-leaved  trees. 

A.  macrophyllum  (the  Large-leaved  maple). — This  superb 
tree,  a  mere  mention  of  which  appears  in  a  note  to  the  previous 
edition  of  this  work,  was  introduced  into  England  in  1812,  and 
has  only  within  a  very  few  years  made  its  appearance  in  this 
country,  and  we  have,  of  course,  no  specimens  of  any  size.  It 
is  described  in  its  native  state  as  varying  in  height  from  forty  to 
ninety  feet,  very  graceful  in  form,  with  branches  widely  spread- 
ing, the  wood  soft,  but  beautifully  veined ;  specimens  sent  home 
by  Mr.  Douglas,  exhibit  a  grain  scarcely  inferior  to  the  finest 
satin  wood.  Though  the  leaves  vary  much  in  size,  yet  they 
are  by  far  the  largest  of  the  maples  ;  this,  with  its  hardihood 
and  great  size  and  loftiness,  renders  it  one  of  the  noblest  of  its 
kind,  and  it  should  invariably  be  planted  where  there  is  suffi- 
cient space  for  its  development. 

A.  Monspessulanum  (the  Montpelier  maple). — This  is  another 
of  the  newer  maples  but  lately  introduced  here ;  though  of 


NEWER  DECIDUOUS  TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


457 


small  habit  of  growth,  yet  it  is  very  ornamental,  the  leaves 
resembling  somewhat  in  size  and  color  those  of  A.  campestre  : 
the  flowers  are  pale,  and  are  very  attractive  to  bees.  In  mild 
seasons,  in  Europe,  the  leaves  remain  on  the  tree  until  mid- 
winter, and  on  this  account  it  is  much  planted  in  France  for 
hedges.  It  rarely  attains  a  greater  height  than  thirty  to  forty 
feet,  and  is  readily  propagated  by  seeds  or  by  layers. 

A  p  laciniata  (Cut-leaved  or  eagle's  claw). — A  very  curious 
low  growing  tree,  with  the  lobes  of  its  leaves  jagged  and  some- 
what resembling,  as  its  name  implies,  the  foot  or  claw  of  an 
eagle.  It  is  one  of  the  varieties  of  A.  pseudo-platanus,  and 
comes  in  well  with  the  cut-leaved  ash,  beech,  and  other  trees 
with  this  peculiar  foliage. 

A.  p.  foliis  purpuras  (the  Purple-leaved  maple). — Another 
sport  or  variety  of  A.  pseudo-platanus,  very  peculiar  and  striking 
when  the  wind  blows,  the  leaves  having  a  fine  purple  under- 
neath, and  being  ruffled  by  the  breeze,  presenting  a  curious 
blending  of  purple  and  pale  green  ;  the  foot-stalks  to  the  leaves 
are  quite  distinctly  pink.  This  tree  is  commonly  known  in  the 
nurseries  as  the  Purple  Jersey  maple,  it  having  originated  in  a 
nursery  in  that  island  in  1828.  Plants  raised  from  seed  sport 
so  much  in  color  that  sometimes  they  become  quite  green.  On 
this  account,  specimens  for  planting  should  be  selected  from 
the  nursery  rows  while  in  leaf. 

A.  p.  Tartanca  (Tartarian  maple)  ;  A.  Greticum  (Cretan 
Maple),  Hodgkins'  Seedling,  with  yellow  blotched  leaves  ;  A. 
punctata,  with  spotted  leaves,  and  several  others,  are  only  sports 
or  varieties  of  A.  pseudo-platanus,  and  have  not  yet,  to  our 
knowledge,  been  planted  in  the  United  States. 


JEsculus  hippo castanum.    The  Horse-chestnut. 

Jfi.  h.  Flore  pleno  (Double-flowering  horse-chestnut). — A 
beautiful  variety  of  JE.  hippocastanum,  resembling  it  in  character 
and  foliage,  but  with  the  flowers  double  and  very  full,  not  unlike 
at  a  distance,  a  gigantic  hyacinth.  The  tree  seems  perfectly 
hardy,  and  has  the  additional  advantage  of  flowering  when  very 
young. 


458 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


JE.  h.  coccinea  (Scarlet-flowering  horse-chestnut). — This  dif- 
fers from  the  Rubicunda  simply  in  color  of  its  flower,  being  a 
deep  scarlet.  It  is  very  hardy,  flowers  early,  and  is,  perhaps, 
the  most  striking  floral  tree  of  the  season.  The  specimen  we 
have,  about  ten  feet  high,  is  the  only  one  we  have  seen  in  this 
country,  but  we  hardly  know  an  ornamental  tree  more  deserv- 
ing of  notice. 

JE.  h.  variegata  (the  Variegated  horse-chestnut). — This  is 
simply  a  variety  with  blotched  leaves  ;  in  fact,  there  are  two,  one 
mottled  with  white,  the  other  with  yellow ;  whence,  the  distinction 
of  gold  and  silver-leaved.  We  do  not  regard  either  of  them  as 
particularly  handsome,  having  more  the  appearance  of  disease 
than  a  regular  blotch  ;  and  we  consequently  would  only  recom- 
mend them  for  arboretums,  or  where  one  has  a  fancy  for  varie- 
gated trees. 

JE,  h.  laciniata  (Cut-leaved  horse-chestnut). — A  very  distinc- 
tive variety,  with  deeply  cut  leaves ;  in  certain  conditions  of 
growth,  the  leaves  have  simply  the  appearance  of  threads.  This 
is  by  far  the  most  curious  and  interesting  of  all  the  cut-leaved 
trees,  and  we  consider  it  very  desirable  even  in  small  col- 
lections. It  is  perfectly  hardy,  and  should  be  planted  by  it- 
self.   It  is  still  very  rare. 

2E.  k.  Whitleyi. — Whitley's  New  Scarlet  is  a  variety  of  Rubi- 
cunda, as  are  also  JE.  Americana,  and  JE.  fol.  aurea  (Golden- 
leaved  horse-chestnut).  They  can  be  had  at  our  nurseries, 
and  are  well  worthy  the  attention  of  planters. 

The  Pavias  are  simply  varieties  of  the  horse-chestnut,  with 
smooth  fruit  and  leaves,  and  generally  of  lower  growth,  most  of 
them  are  deserving  of  notice  and  one  of  them,  Pavia  macro- 
stachya  (the  Dwarf  white-flowering  horse-chestnut),  is  rather 
a  shrub  than  tree ;  but  we  hardly  know  anything  more  valuabe 
in  the  month  of  July,  when  covered  with  its  long  spikes  or 
flowers,  which  are  agreeably  odoriferous. 

Its  habit  of  growth  is  peculiar,  stoling  from  the  root,  and 
when  standing  alone,  as  it  invariably  should,  making  a  magnifi- 
cent bush,  much  wider  than  it  is  high.  It  is  a  native,  we  be- 
lieve, of  North  America,  growing  most  abundantly  near  St. 
Augustine  in  Florida,  and  was  only  introduced  into  England  in 
1820,  the  largest  plants  being  at  "White  Knights."  twenty- 


Fig.  91. — Dwarf  Horse-Chestnut,  at  Wodenethe. 
Age,  12  yrs.    Height,  S  ft.    Cir.,  GO  ft. 


NEWER  DECIDUOUS  TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


459 


five  years  planted,  fifteen  feet  high.  At  Syon  House,  near 
London,  there  is  a  specimen,  twelve  feet.  In  this  country,  as 
yet,  it  is  rarely  to  be  met  with  in  our  ornamental  places, 
which  is  the  more  remarkable  as  we  do  not  know  a  shrub 
which  should  be  planted  before  it.  It  comes  into  bloom  a 
month  or  six  weeks  later  than  the  other  horse-chestnuts,  and  at 
a  period,  too,  when  very  few  shrubs  are  in  flower,  and  continues 
a.long  time.  Our  best  plant  at  Wodenethe — of  which  Fig.  91 
is  a  sketch — twelve  years  old,  is  sixty  feet  in  circumference 
and  about  eight  feet  high,  and  has,  at  the  time  we  write,  between 
three  and  four  hundred  racemes  of  flowers,  the  feathery  lightness 
of  which,  and  the  fine  umbrageous  character  of  the  leaves  ren- 
der it  a  most  striking  and  attractive  object. 

Pavia  rubra  (Red-flowering), — which  is  merely  mentioned 
by  Mr.  Downing,  and  which  is  now  better  known,  is  a  shrubby 
tree,  seldom  exceeding  twenty  feet,  with  reddish  flowers  suffi- 
ciently distinct  to  make  it  desirable — though  Pavia  humilis 
pendula  (the  Weeping  red  pavia),  is  even  more  desirable  and  at- 
tractive. Mr.  Loudon  considers  this  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
and  interesting  forms  of  Pavia,  and  recommends  horse-chestnuts 
of  twenty  to  thirty  years'  growth  to  be  grafted  all  over  with  it 
at  the  points  of  the  shoots  ;  care  being  taken  afterwards,  once 
or  twice  every  year,  to  rub  off  all  the  buds  from  the  stock  as 
soon  as  they  appear,  so  that  the  entire  force  of  the  plant  may 
be  directed  to  the  nourishment  of  the  scions. 

Pavia  carnea  pubescens  (Downy  leaf),  from  the  fact  of  the 
whole  plant,  including  the  young  wood,  being  covered  with 
pubescence. 

P.  purpurea  (Purple)  ;  P.  rubra  atrosanguinea  (Dark  red)  ; 
and  P.  carnea  superba  (Pale  red),  are  all  new  varieties  to  be 
obtained  in  this  country,  and  of  greater  or  less  merit. 


Alnus.    The  Alder. 

The  principle  additions  to  this  genus,  since  the  previous 
edition  of  this  work,  have  been  A.  cordifolia,  (Heart-shaped), 
a  tree  of  some  magnitude,  a  native  of  Calabria,  with 
large,  deep  green,  shining  leaves,  rather  broad  and  deeply 


400 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


heart-shaped,  growing  rapidly,  and,  we  believe,  perfectly 
hardy — at  least,  we  have  found  it  so  at  this  place — and  A. 
quercifolia  (the  Oak-leaved  alder)  ;  although  Mr.  Downing 
places  little  value  on  the  A.  glauca  (our  common  Swamp- 
alder),  yet  we  must  confess,  we  hardly  know  a  more  charming 
plant  in  the  winter,  when  covered  with  its  bright  scarlet  ber- 
ries, especially  when  placed  against  hemlocks  or  other  ever- 
greens ;  and  we  are  quite  confident,  that  planted  in  tins  manner 
it  only  needs  to  be  seen  to  be  more  generally  employed. 


Betula.  Birch. 

The  only  new  varieties  lately  introduced  of  the  birch  are  : 

B.  daurica  (the  Daurian  birch),  from  Asiatic  Siberia,  which 
is  supposed  to  be  only  a  variety  of  B.  alba,  not  growing  as  tall 
as  the  common  birch,  nor  does  the  trunk  attain  the  same  size, 
though  the  wood  is  both  harder  and  yellower. 

Betula  laciniata  (the  Cut-leaf  birch),  as  known  in  our  nur- 
series ;  an  exceedingly  graceful,  pretty  tree,  with  a  light, 
airy  growth,  inferior,  however,  to  a  still  newer  variety  B. 
laciniata  pendula  (Pendulous  cut-leaf),  which  is  quite  the  pret- 
tiest and  most  feathery  of  the  birches. 

B.  nana  and  B.pumila  (the  Dwarf  and  low  growing  birch). 
These  two  are  merely  shrubs,  both  natives  of  the  northern 
portions  of  America,  and  the  latter  found  in  Sweden,  Norway, 
and  Russia  ;  and  growing  only  two  or  three  feet  high,  merely 
valuable  as  carrying  out  the  class  in  arboretums. 


Castanea.  Chestnut. 

The  principle  additions  to  this  genus,  since  the  first  edition 
are  :  Castanea  asplenifolia  (Cut-leaf  chestnut),  a  very  remarka- 
ble and  peculiar  variety,  with  its  leaves  in  shreds  ;  and  C. 
variegata,  foliis-aureis,  and  foliis-argenteis,  (the  Golden- 
leaved  and  the  Silver-leaved  chestnuts),  both  very  striking 
and  showy,  especially  when  planted  against  or  near  ever- 
greens, the  golden  variety  being  particularly  gay.  Small 
plants  of  this   tree  have,  at  Wodenethe,  blossomed  when 


NEWER  DECIDUOUS  TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


401 


only  two  feet  high,  but  whether  this  is  the  habit  of  this  variety, 
or  accidental,  we  are  not  prepared  to  say. 

We  have  also  here  (received  some  years  ago  from  Mr.  Rivers, 
we  think),  a  dwarf  variety,  called  Dwarf  prolific,  which  has 
the  merit  of  fruiting  when  a  small  shrub. 


Cercis.    Judas  Tree. 

The  only  addition  to  this  variety,  which  has  appeared 
within  the  past  few  years,  is  Cercis  foliis-variegata  (the  Varie- 
gated-leaved Judas)  ;  the  leaves  blotched  and  streaked  with 
white,  and  sometimes  pink  and  white  splashes  ;  desirable,  but 
at  present  very  rare.  We  procured  our  plants,  we  believe, 
from  France. 


Fagus.  Beech. 

There  are  several  varieties  of  this  tree,  which  have  been  in- 
troduced into  cultivation  within  the  last  few  years,  well  de- 
serving of  notice,  and  some  of  them  very  curious  and  interest- 
ing ;  among  these  is,  Fagus  laciniata,  called  also  F.  asplenifolia 
and  F.  incisa,  and  known  in  the  nursuries  as  Cut-leaved,  Fern- 
leaved  and  Various-leaved  beech.  We  have  all  these  plants 
under  the  diiferent  names,  but,  except  the  occasional  sport, 
which  the  beech  is  peculiarly  liable  to,  we  believe  them  to  be 
identical ;  sometimes  resembling  a  fern,  which  is  the  most  usual, 
and  others  again  with  leaves  very  oddly  cut  and  shredded, 
as  it  were,  by  insects.  The  Fern-leaved  beech,  commonly  so- 
called,  is  a  great  favorite  with  us,  and  we  hardly  know  a  pret- 
tier or  more  attractive  tree,  or  one  less  known  or  planted ;  if 
we  could  plant  but  half  a  dozen  trees  this  would  certainly  be 
one  of  the  first.  It  has  the  close  round  habit  of  the  beech  with 
a  pleasing  green  and  glaucous  color,  and  the  most  tiny  and  deli- 
cate foliage,  the  persistency  of  which  would  make  it  very 
desirable  for  topiary  work,  as  it  bears  the  shears  better  than  any 
deciduous  tree  we  know  of.  Its  maximum  height  is  forty  to 
fifty  feet,  but  we  have  seen  no  specimen  in  this  country  over 
twelve  to  fifteen  feet ;  its  average  annual  groAvth  being  twelve 
to  fifteen  inches. 


462 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Fagus  crista  la  (Crested  or  Curled-leaved  beech),  is  more 
curious  than  interesting,  and  is  what  Mr.  Loudon  called  a 
"  monstrosity,"  with  leaves  small,  almost  sessile,  and  crowded 
into  small  tufts  which  occur  at  intervals  along  the  branches ;  it 
never  becomes  a  large  tree. 

Fagus  foliis  variegatis  (Variegated-leaved  beech). — There  are 
two  varieties  of  this,  the  Golden  and  Silver  ;  the  latter  being  the 
most  striking. 

There  is  also  another  most  charming  variety — F.  Cunning- 
hamia  (the  Evergreen  beech),  with  leaves  curiously  small,  but 
which  does  not  stand  our  climate  in  this  vicinity,  but,  which  in 
the  Southern  States,  we  have  little  doubt,  would  be  quite  an  ac- 
quisition to  the  Evergreen  trees.  In  connection  with  the  beech 
we  would  also  mention  three  new  varieties  of  Carpinus  (Horn- 
beam), C.  pendula,  a  pretty  weeping  tree,  and  the  Golden  and 
Silver-leaved  varieties,  resembling  very  much,  though  inferior 
to  these  same  varieties  in  the  beech. 


Fraxinus.  Ash. 

There  are  five  or  six  varieties  of  this  tree,  not  mentioned  by 
Mr.  Downing,  that  are  well  deserving  attention;  the  most  striking 
and  rarest,  perhaps,  isF.  aucubafolia  (the  Aucuba-leaved  ash). 
The  leaves  blotched  with  yellow,  like  that  well-known  English 
shrub,  the  Aucuba  Japonica,  and  to  such  an  extent  that  at  a  little 
distance,  a  tree  of  some  age  has  the  appearance  of  this  plant  of 
extraordinary  size ;  on  the  edges  of  plantations  it  catches  the 
light  so  well  that  it  works  up  to  great  advantage,  and  has  so 
strong  a  resemblance  to  a  tree  in  flower  that  it  is  constantly 
taken  for  one.  The  tree  is  yet  very  rare,  a  plant  we  obtained 
a  year  or  two  since  from  Messrs.  Ellwanger  and  Barry  is  the 
only  specimen  we  have  seen. 

F.  aurea  (Golden  ash),  and  F.  aurea  pendula  (Weeping 
Golden  ash),  are  both  very  desirable  varieties  ;  the  color  of  the 
wood  of  a  rich  golden  yellow,  being  very  striking  in  winter 
when  contrasted  with  the  snow,  quite  as  marked  as  the  Golden 
willow ;  on  this  account  it  would  be  well  to  plant  it  in  sight 
from  the  windows  of  the  house.    The  latter  tree  is,  with  us, 


NEWER  DECIDUOUS  TREES  AUD  SHRUBS.  463 

quite  as  hardy  as  and  a  great  improvement  upon  the  old  Weep- 
ing ash. 

F.  sulicifolia  (Willow-leaved  ash). — This  is  another  of  those 
remarkable  thin  cut-leaved  trees,  of  which  we  have  specimens  in 
the  beech,  horse-chestnut  and  even  the  oak.  This  is  a  most 
rapid  and  robust  grower,  and  would,  undoubtedly,  be  taken  foi 
a  willow,  by  persons  not  very  familiar  with  trees — and  though 
not  particularly  handsome,  still  it  is  well  deserving  a  place  in 
all  collections,  where  striking  and  curious  plants  are  desired. 

F.  globosa  viridis  or  myrti folia  (Myrtle-leaved  ash). — A  seed- 
ling, if  we  mistake  not,  of  Messrs.  Ellwanger  and  Barry,  from 
whom  we  procured  the  plant  some  years  ago  ;  is  when  grafted 
standard  high,  a  very  pretty  effective  little  tree,  with  a  globular 
head  of  small  close,  dark  green  foliage  like  the  myrtle,  and 
comes  in  very  well,  standing  by  itself  in  small  pleasure  grounds, 
or  peeping  out  of  low  masses  of  shrubs. 

F.  argentea  alba. — A  very  singular  variety,  with  leaves 
entirely  white,  and  when  planted  with  the  aucuba folia,  the 
leaves  of  which  are  quite  golden,  producing  a  remarkable  effect, 
like  gigantic  flowering  plants.  We  do  not  know  the  history  of 
this  singular  tree,  and  have  only  seen  it  at  Mr.  Daniel  Brincker- 
hoff 's,  in  this  neighborhood,  who  has  the  impression  he  procured 
it  some  years  since,  from  Mr.  Rivers  of  the  Sawbridgeworth 
nurseries  in  England.  It  differs  from  the  varieties  known  in 
the  English  nurseries  as  F.  argentea,  from  the  peculiar 
whiteness  of  its  foliage  ;  the  argentea  being  generally  streaked 
with  green,  though  it  may  be  a  sport  of  this  tree.  It  is  apt  to 
suffer  very  much  in  June  from  the  insects  which,  apparently 
attracted  by  the  white  foliage  at  night,  greedily  devour  the 
leaves,  though  all  the  other  ashes  standing  by  escape  un- 
touched. 

F.  lentiscifolia  and  F.  lentiscifolia  pendula,  are  both  desira- 
ble trees,  with  neat,  narrow  foliage,  and  rapid  growth.  The 
Pendulous-branched  we  have  found  the  most  rapid  of  the  ashes. 
The  Weeping  black  and  Gold-striped  weeping,  both  pretty ;  F. 
atro-virens,  remarkable  for  its  dark  foliage ;  F.  bosci,  with  dark 
glossy  foliage,  and  woolly  shoots  ;  F.  juglandifolia  (Walnut- 
leaved)  ;  F.  monophylla,  single,  instead  of  pinnate  leaves  ;  F. 


464 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


elonga  Japonica  pannosa,  Nova  Anglica,  oxyphillas  and  scolo- 
pendrifolium,  are  all  new  varieties,  for  arboretums  or  very 
full  collections. 


Magnolia. 

There  are  several  newly  introduced  varieties  of  this  beauti- 
ful tree  which  deserve  attention  :  among  them  may  be  men- 
tioned, M.  Thompsoniana,  a  fine  distinct  variety,  probably  a 
cross  between  glauca  and  tripetala,  quite  as  hardy  with  us  as 
either  parent. 

M.  speciosa,  M.  gracilis,  M,  Alexandrina  and  M.  Nort- 
her tiana. — These  four  varieties  so  closely  resemble  M.  Sonlan- 
giana,  that  we  think  they  can  be  only  seedlings,  differing  a 
little  in  the  mingling  of  the  white  and  purple,  which  is  the  color 
of  their  flowers. 

M.  Nortbertiana,  being  whiter  in  its  flowers,  may  probably  be 
a  seedling  or  variety  of  M.  conspicua ;  M.  gracilis  is  unques- 
tionably only  a  more  slender  delicate  variety  of  M.  purpurea, 
having  much  darker  flowers,  especially  when  half  expanded  ; 
M.  Alexandrina  flowers  earlier  than  its  parent. 

Another  desirable  variety  is  M.  longifolia,  which  is  often  con- 
founded with  and  sold  for  M.  Thompsoniana,  and  is  intermediate 
in  appearance  between  M.  tripetala  and  M.  glauca  ;  the  leaves 
are  acute  at  both  ends,  longer  than  Thompsoniana,  and  resem- 
bling tripetala,  but  thicker,  smaller,  and  glaucous  underneath  ; 
the  flowers  are  very  sweet  but  not  as  large  as  M.  Thomp- 
soniana. 

M.  galissoniere. — A  plant  of  which  we  imported  from  France 
two  years  since,  is  said  to  be  the  only  variety  of  the  M.  grandi- 
flora  which  will  stand  our  climate,  and  as  it  resists  the  cold  of 
the  north  of  France,  it  is  not  impossible  it  may  be  acclimatized 
here.  We  do  not  know  that  it  has  been  sufficiently  tested  at 
present  to  be  able  to  class  it  among  our  hardy  magnolias. 


NEWER  DECIDUOUS  TREES  AND  SHRUBS/ 


465 


Quercus.  Oak. 

We  have  but  few  additions  to  make  to  this  genus,  and  these 
rather  of  the  fancy  order. 

Q.  laciniata  (Cut-leaf  oak),  known  also  as  Q.  salicifolia  and 
Q.  filicifolia,  is  a  curious  variety,  with  leaves  deeply  cut  at  the 
edges  and  laciniated. 

Q.  foliis  variegatis  (Variegated  oak),  both  gold  and  silver, 
with  leaves  variegated  with  white  or  yellow  and  occasional 
streaks  of  red;  well  grown,  quite  showy  and  ornamental. 

Q.  purpurea  (Purple  oak),  has  the  foot-stalks  of  the  leaves 
and  its  young  shoots  quite  distinctly  tinged  with  purple — even 
the  young  leaves,  when  they  first  appear,  are  very  dark,  as 
much  so  as  the  Purple  beech,  and,  like  this  tree,  becoming 
greener  as  the  season  advances. 

But  of  all  the  newer  varieties  recently  introduced  here,  the 
Q.  pendula  (Weeping  oak),  is  the  most  distinctive  and  remark- 
able. We  have  as  yet,  we  believe,  no  trees  of  any  size  in  the 
country.  The  largest  tree  known  is  at  Moccas  court,  in  Here- 
fordshire, England,  which  Mr.  Loudon  (Arbo  :  Brit.  vol.  3, 
page  1732),  describes  as  one  of  the  most  extraordinary  trees 
of  the  oak  kind  in  existence  ;  the  height  of  the  trunk  to  the  first 
branch  is  eighteen  feet,  total  height  of  the  trunk  seventy-five  feet, 
with  branches  reaching  from  about  the  middle  of  its  height  to 
within  seven  feet  of  the  ground,  and  hanging  down  like  cords  ; 
many  of  these  branches  are  thirty  feet  long  and  no  thicker  in 
any  part  of  their  length  than  a  common  wagon  rope.  There  is 
another  variety  of  Weeping  oak  to  be  found  in  our  nurseries, 
and  which  we  have  had  here,  but  the  inclination  of  the  branches 
is  more  rigid  and  less  pendulous  and  graceful  than  the  Moccas 
oak,  and  we  much  doubt  if  we  have  ever  had  this  species  here. 

To  persons  curious  in  trees,  or  who  are  desirous  of  making 
plantations  of  the  many  dwarfs  at  present  quite  the  fashion  in 
England,  we  would  suggest  here  two  varieties  of  oak  interest- 
ing for  this  purpose  ;  viz.,  Quercus  humilis  (the  low  growing 
oak),  a  native  of  Europe,  where  it  never  exceeds  a  height  of 
three  to  four  feet,  and  in  the  Landes  near  Bordeaux,  not  over 
one  foot ;  and  Q.  pumila  (an  American  dwarf),  which  seldom 
exceeds  twenty  inches. 
30 


466 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Salix.  Willow. 

There  are  three  or  four  charming  varieties  to  add  to  this 
well  known  genus.  Among  them  the  newest,  and  perhaps  the 
most  remarkable,  is  the  Kilmarnock  Weeping,  quite  distinctive, 
with  a  very  pendulous  but  close  habit  of  growth,  so  much  so, 
that  the  branches,  at  least  in  young  trees,  are  quite  hid  out  by 
the  large  glossy  leaves,  which,  at  a  little  distance,  are  not  un- 
like the  apple  leaf.  It  seems  perfectly  hardy,  and,  with  the 
one  next  mentioned,  may  be  very  appropriately  planted  in 
pkasure  grounds,  where  the  other  and  larger  willows  would  be 
out  of  keeping. 

S.  Americana  pendula,  an  American  dwarf  variety,  with 
very  slender  and  graceful  branches,  or  rather  shoots,  which 
when  grafted  six  or  seven  feet  high,  hang  down  like  whip- 
cord ;  this  variety,  we  think,  was  first  noticed  by  the  late  Mr. 
Downing  in  Rivers'  nursery,  and  very  prettily  described  by 
him  as  the  Fountain  willow,  which  is  a  much  more  expressive 
and  appropriate  name  than  the  one  it  now  goes  by  in  the  nur- 
series. It  should  always  be  grafted  on  what  is  called  the  Stock 
willow  ;  if  upon  its  own  roots  or  worked  even  on  itself,  standard 
high,  it  becomes  nothing  but  an  awkward  distorted  shrub. 

S.  rosmarifolia  (the  Rosemary -leaved  willow) — Is  another 
exceedingly  pretty  little  lawn  tree,  with  delicate  rosemary- 
like leaves ;  this  should  also  be  worked  standard  high. 

The  Huntington  willow,  with  large,  beautiful,  shining  leaves, 
and  a  variety  we  imported  from  France  a  year  or  so  ago, 
called  S.  penlandra,  described  there  (though  it  has  not  yet 
realized  its  reputation  with  us),  as  a  beautiful  tree,  with  leaves 
like  the  laurel,  are  all  the  newer  varieties  proper  for  orna- 
mental planting. 


Sophora.    The  Sophora. 

Lin.  Syst.    Decandria,  Monogynia. 

This  genus,  the  only  hardy  variety  of  which  is  deciduous, 
is  a  native  of  Japan,  and  is  highly  ornamental.  There  is  not, 
to  our  knowledge,  any  large  tree  of  it  in  this  country,  and  from 
this  fact,  perhaps,  and  from  its  great  rarity,  it  was  classed  by 


NEWER  DECIDUOUS  TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


467 


Mr.  Downing  among  the  shrubs.  It  is  in  reality  a  large  tree 
when  grown,  forty  to  fifty  feet  high,  with  pinnate  leaves,  and 
producing  large  branches  of  cream  colored  flowers  in  August. 
It  is  quite  distinctive  in  winter,  by  the  dark  green  bark  of  its 
young  wood  ;  and  in  summer  by  the  dark  blue  green  of  its 
foliage.  Near  Paris  there  are  some  trees  sixty  feet  high.  It 
grows  rapidly  and  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  United  States 
from  one  remarkable  property  of  its  foliage,  which  is  the  power 
it  has  to  retain  both  its  leaves  and  their  color  in  the  very  hot- 
test and  driest  seasons,  when  locusts  and  acacias  and  other 
pinnated-leaved  leguminacece  are  apt  to  lose  their  foliage. 

The  flowers,  it  is  said,  in  China  make  yellow  dye  of  so  super- 
ior a  color,  that  it  is  reserved  exclusively  for  the  use  of  the 
Imperial  family. 

S.  pendula  (Pendulous  or  Weeping  sophora),  is  more  com- 
monly met  with,  perhaps,  than  the  upright  sophora,  though 
even  this  variety  is  very  rare.  It  has  long  pendulous  shoots  ; 
grafted  near  the  ground  it  becomes  a  mere  straggling  plant, 
but  ten  to  twenty  feet  high  ;  we  hardly  know  anything  more 
ornamental  or  striking  ;  even  in  winter,  the  long  slender 
branches  of  beautiful  bright  green  render  it  most  attractive. 

There  is  a  third  variety,  variegata,  but  the  color  of  the  leaf 
is  sickly,  and  we  do  not  consider  it  desirable,  except  for  arbore- 
tums. 


Pyrus.    Mountain  Ash. 

A  very  pretty  and  marked  addition  to  the  varieties  hereto- 
fore known,  and  described  is  Pyrus  pendula  (Weeping  moun- 
tain ash),  with  extremely  pendulous  branches  bending  quite  to 
the  ground,  and  then  rambling  along  it  if  not  stopped  ;  a  most 
rapid  grower,  more  so,  we  think,  than  the  common  mountain 
ash,  and  a  very  great  bloomer. 

P.  nana  (Dwarf  mountain  ash). — This  is  a  very  stunted 
variety  of  slow,  close  growth,  but  quite  remarkable  for  the 
luxuriant  corymbs  of  coral  berries  in  the  Autumn. 

P.  quercifolia,  a  distinct  variety  with  large,  hoary,  oak  leaves  ; 
P.  striata  (Striped-leaved),  P.  vestita  (White-leaved),  the 
a  oung  shoots  and  the  under  part  of  the  leaves  being  as  clearly 


468 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


white  as  the  Silver  poplar.  The  Yellow-berried,  the  Large- 
fruited  gray,  the  Large-fruited  red,  and  the  Large-fruited  rose, 
are  all  deserving  notice  where  there  is  ample  space  for  planting. 


Tilia.    Lime  or  Linden. 

The  only  varieties  of  value  to  add  to  those  previously  enu- 
merated in  this  book,  are  T.  laciniata  (Cut  or  Jagged-leaf  lin- 
den), with  the  leaves  curiously  cut ;  and  T.  pendula  alba 
(Weeping  White  linden),  of  a  very  pendulous  habit,  and  the 
under  part  of  the  leaf  very  silvery.  We  esteem  this  one  of 
the  most,  if  not  the  most  ornamental  of  the  lindens. 


Ulmus.  Elm. 

There  are  a  good  many  new  elms  lately  introduced,  which 
are  quite  remarkable  in  their  habit,  and  distinctive  in  appear- 
ance ;  among  them  are  two  Scotch  varieties  of  weeping  elms, 
the  Scampston  (of  which  Fig.  92  is  a  portrait),  and  Camperdown, 
both  somewhat  allied  in  appearance,  though  the  first  is  the  most 
remarkable,  having  fine  coarse  foliage,  and  the  most  extraor- 
dinary droop  to  the  branches  ;  so  much  and  so  regular  and 
formal  is  their  inclination,  that  it  is  difficult  to  believe  artificial 
means  have  not  been  resorted  to.  When  grafted  as  it  should 
be,  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  high,  the  branches  make  a  curvilinear 
droop  to  the  ground,  with  a  growth  so  regular  and  symmetrical 
as  to  give  the  whole  tree  the  appearance  of  a  gigantic  arbor ; 
regularly  trained  and  trimmed,  and  by  making  an  arched  open- 
ing on  one  side,  it  can  be  well  used  for  this  purpose,  the  thick 
umbrageous  character  of  the  leaves  producing  the  most  agree- 
able and  dense  shade. 

The  only  material  difference  between  this  tree  and  U.  Cam- 
perdown, is  that  this  last  is  of  a  more  open,  loose  foliage,  and 
rather  less  regular  in  the  droop  of  the  branches.  They  are 
both,  however,  very  fine  trees  and  well  worthy  the  most  pro- 
minent positions  in  the  lawn — care  being  taken  that  they  shall 
have  ample  space  for  their  development. 


THE  NEWER  ORNAMENTAL  DECIDUOUS  SHRUBS.  4G9 


U.  glabra  pendula  is  another  fine  variety  of  Weeping  elm, 
but  far  inferior,  we  think,  to  the  two  above  mentioned. 

IT.  montana  pendula,  and  U.  rugosa  pendula,  (the  Scotch 
weeping),  and  (Rough-leaved  weeping),  are  also  very  desirable 
Weeping  elms. 

The  Huntington  elm  is  a  rapid  growing  variety,  with  a 
fine  large  leaf. 

The  U.  articofolia,  (Nettle-leaved)  ;  U.  variegata,  (the 
Variegated) ;  and  U.  purpurea,  (the  Purple),  are  all  curious  and 
desirable  in  large  places ;  as  is  also  U.  adianthafolia,  a  strong 
rugged  variety  with  corrugated  and  crimped  leaves  very 
peculiar. 


THE  NEWER  ORNAMENTAL  DECIDUOUS  SHRUBS. 

Before  enumerating  the  many  new  and  beautiful 
shrubs  which  have  been  introduced  into  our  gardens 
and  pleasure  grounds  within  ten  years,  we  wish  to 
say  a  few  words  respecting  their  employment. 

We  have  before  remarked,  in  another  place,  that  the 
facilities  afforded  by  railroads  and  steamboats  are  now 
so  great,  that  there  is  a  class,  and  a  large  one,  of  small 
suburban  places  and  villa  residences  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  our  large  cities  and  rural  towns,  to  which  this 
kind  of  plant  is  especially  valuable.  In  residences  of  a 
few  hundred  feet  square  to  an  acre  or  more,  shrubs  are 
much  more  valuable  than  trees,  as  the  latter,  when 
fully  matured,  become  so  large  and  cumbersome  as  to 
interfere  very  much  with  a  free  circulation  of  air,  and 
often  completely  shut  out  all  view,  and  are  apt  to  make 
the  places  themselves  damp  and  dreary.  There  are 
many  of  these  residences  where  trees  should  never  be 
planted,  but  their  place  should  be  supplied  by  the  finer 
shrubs,  as  the  Weigela,  Forsythia,  the  Ely  honeysuckle, 
the  smaller  Magnolias  (glauca,  purpurea,  gracilis,  con- 
spicua,  soulangiana),  the  Purple  berberry,  the  Purple 
filbert,  the  Yariegated  syringo,  the  Dwarf  horse-chest- 


470 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


nut,  the  Fern-leaved  beech,  the  Oak-leaved  hydrangea, 
the  Red-twigged  dogwood,  the  Double  Japan  quince, 
the  Deutzia  gracilis,  and  the  different  hardy  English 
and  Belgic  azaleas,  among  the  deciduous  shrubs.  And 
among  the  evergreens,  the  English  and  Irish  yews,  the 
different  Junipers,  the  different  Arbor-vitae,  the  Weep- 
ing cypress  (Cupressus  oblonga  penduld),  the  eight  or 
ten  varieties  of  Dwarf  firs,  the  Thuiopsis  borealis, 
a  beautiful  and  hardy  plant  from  Baffin's  Bay  ;  the 
Hemlock,  if  kept  clipped  and  bushy,  the  various  Rho- 
dodendrons, especially  the  Catawbiensis ;  the  Laurel- 
leaved  holly  (Ilex  laitrifolia),  the  American  holly,  and 
finally  that  most  valuable  of  all  shrubs,  the  Berberis 
mahonia.  By  a  tasteful  and  judicious  massing  and 
grouping  of  the  above  plants,  with  occasionally  a  single 
specimen  by  itself  alone,  as  the  English  yew,  or  Dwarf 
horse-chestnut,  or  Fern-leaf  beech,  a  very  pretty  and 
ornamental  effect  may  be  produced,  without  shutting 
out  the  light  of  heaven,  as  is  too  often  done  by  tall 
sparse  trees,  with  long  naked  stems,  producing  no  other 
sensation  but  a  shudder  at  their  ugliness. 

In  submitting  the  annexed  list  of  the  newer  shrubs,  we 
regret  our  space  will  not  allow  us  to  do  much  more 
than  to  enumerate  their  names  ;  merely  premising  that 
the  most  desirable  are  those  we  have  already  just 
mentioned  above. 

Aralia  Japonica,  a  new  variety  of  A.  spinosa  (Hercules' 
club),  but  much  finer  in  foliage,  and  very  highly  esteemed  in 
England  ;  hardy. 

A.  papyripera  (the  Chinese  Rice-paper  plant). — We  have 
but  recently  imported  this,  and  do  not  yet  know  its  hardihood; 
it  has  superb  leaves  some  three  feet  or  more  in  diameter. 

Ceanoihus. — The  ceanothvs,  of  which  there  are  several  varie- 
ties, are  beautiful  shrubs,  with  white  or  blue  clusters  of 
flowers. 

Cornus  variegata  (the  Variegated-leaved  dogwood). — A  very 


THE  NEWER  ORNAMENTAL  DECIDUOUS  SHRUBS.  471 


prettily  striped  leaf,  and  contrasting  agreeably  with  the  othei 
varieties. 

Daphne  atro purpureum. — A  very  marked  variety  of  Mezereum, 
with  purplish  leaves. 

Deutzia  gracilis,  and  _D.  scabra. — Two  very  desirable  shrubs 
introduced  some  six  or  eight  years  ago  ;  the  gracilis  being 
perhaps,  the  most  charming  shrub  at  the  period  of  its  inflor- 
escence ;  it  has  also  the  merit  of  bearing  forcing  well  in  a 
green-house,  though  perfectly  hardy. 

Itea  Curolinia  (the  Carolina  itea). — A  charming  little  shrub 
which  does  best  in  the  shade. 

Leycesteria  formosa  (the  beautiful  leycesterid). 

Ligustrum,  foliis  aureis,  and  argenteis  (the  Golden  and  Sil- 
ver striped  privet). — Very  pretty  and  desirable,  mingled  with 
the  green  privet. 

Forsythia  viridissima. — The  very  green  Forsythia  is  certain- 
ly one  of  the  most  desirable  among  the  new  shrubs  ;  its  flowers, 
a  bright  yellow,  appear  very  early  in  the  spring,  succeeded  by 
a  deep,  dense  foliage  which  in  winter  is  sub-evergreen,  hanging 
on  to  the  plant  and  retaining  its  color  until  long  past  Christmas. 
Like  the  magnolia,  it  appears  -to  more  advantage  when  planted 
against  evergreens. 

Fersica  vulgaris  flore  p)leno  alba  (the  Double  white  flowering 
peach). — Beautiful,  especially  when  planted  by  the  Double 
pink. 

Ribes  sanguineum  flore  pleno,  and  F.  speciosum. — Both  beau- 
tiful varieties  of  the  Flowering  currant.  The  first  a  great  im- 
provement on  the  old  R.  sanguineum,  and  the  last  with  long 
pendulous  red  flowers,  like  a  fuschia. 

Sambucus  flore  pleno,  S.  foliis  aureis.  S.  foliis  argenteis — 
New  and  striking  varieties  of  the  Black  or  Common  elder,  as 
yet  very  rare.  We  have  found  them  hardy  and  most  luxuriant 
growers  ;  the  Double-flowering  is  very  striking,  but  the  Silver 
and  Gold-leaved  are  much  more  so.  We  presume  they  can 
now  be  procured  at  our  nurseries,  though  we  obtained  ours 
from  M.  Leroy  in  France. 

Spiraea  callosa,  S.  Douglasii,  S.  Lindleyana,  S.  Nepalensis, 
S.  pruni folia,  S.  Feevsii,  S.  r.  flore  pleno,  are  all  the  finest 


472 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


among  the  new  Spireas  ;  exceedingly  hardy  and  desirable,  es- 
pecially Douglasii,  callosa,  and  Double-flowering  Becvesii. 

Syringa  Josikcea,  S.  Charles  X.,  S.  IZmodi,  are  new  addi- 
tions to  the  charming  family  of  lilacs. 

Tamarix  Africana,  T.  GalUca  (the  African  and  French  tamar- 
iks),  are  very  pretty  and  desirable. 

Weigela  rosea  (the  Rosy  weigela)  is  perhaps,  take  it  all  in 
all,  the  greatest  acquisition  to  our  hardy  shrubs  within  the  past 
ten  years.  We  hardly  know  a  more  lovely  plant  or  more 
abundant  bloomer ;  the  white  and  pink  flowers  resembling 
apple  blossoms,  almost  cover  the  plant  with  a  sheet  of  bloom. 


EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


473 


SECTION  IV. 

REMARKS  ABOUT  HALF  -  HARDY  PLANTS  AND  THE  NEWER 
EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES  AND  SHRUBS,  WITH  THE 
METHOD  OF  ACCLIMATIZING  AND  EMPLOYING  THEM. 

Perhaps  in  no  one  way  has  the  taste  for  planting 
more  developed  itself  since  the  first  appearance  of 
Mr.  Downing's  book,  especially  during  the  past  four 
or  five  years,  than  in  the  increasing  predilection 
for  evergreens,  and  prevailing  desire  not  only  to  plant 
the  better  known  and  more  common  varieties,  but  also 
those  of  more  recent  introduction. 

Almost  every  one,  even  with  the  smallest  place,  now 
plants  not  only  the  Norway  spruce,  and  the  Austrian 
and  Scotch  pines,  but  is  even  desirous  of  trying  his 
hand  upon  deodars,  cryptomerias  and  other  varieties, 
considered  only  as  luxuries  in  Mr.  Downing's  day. 

The  cost  of  these  plants  having  been  reduced  from 
one  or  two  guineas  apiece,  to  fifteen  or  twenty  cents, 
the  ease  with  which  they  may  be  imported,  at  little  or 
no  risk,  and  the  facility  with  which  they  live,  at  least 
for  one  or  two  years,  to  say  nothing  of  the  fashion  for 
evergreens  now-a-days,  are  certainly  very  strong  temp- 
tations ;  but  the  actual  beauty,  great  variety  and 
contrast  in  character,  habit,  and  color,  and  the  entire 
hardihood  of  a  great  many  new  sorts,  and  the  vast 
addition  made  by  this  class  of  trees  to  a  winter's  land- 
scape, much  more  frequently  seen  now  by  owners  of 
country  places  than  when  the  first  edition  even  of  this 
work  appeared,  all  combine  to  make  it  very  desirable 
that  some  authentic  information  should  be  given,  which 


474 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


may  be  reliable  as  to  what  may  and  what  may  not  be 
planted. 

We  have  individuals  enough  in  this  country  who  are 
willing  to  spend  money  liberally  for  trees  if  they  could 
find  out  what  to  buy,  and  how  and  where  to  plant. 
The  early  edition  of  this  work,  though  quite  up  to  the 
time  when  it  was  published,  is  now  singularly  meagre 
in  its  chapters  on  Evergreens,  and  there  are  probably  at 
this  moment  in  this  country,  collections,  in  extent  and 
variety  (though  not  in  size  of  trees),  greater  than  was 
the  Pinetum  at  Dropmore,  in  England,  which  Mr. 
Downing  refers  to,  in  1841.  We  are  quite  sure  there 
are  over  ninety  varieties  of  evergreens,  nearly  all  quite 
hardy  in  this  middle  portion  of  the  Hudson,  which  are 
not  mentioned  in  the  first  edition,  and  there  are  several 
distinct,  beautiful,  and  hardy  genera  not  even  alluded 
to,  such  as  the  piceas,  of  which  there  are  at  present 
known  twelve  distinct  species,  all,  we  believe,  hardy 
here.  Mr.  Downing  mentions  seven  abies,  and  we  now 
have  in  cultivation,  more  or  less  general,  twenty-three 
more.  We  have  growing  in  the  different  collections  in 
this  country,  principally  between  Washington  and 
Boston,  twenty  more  pines,  in  addition  to  the  fifteen 
he  enumerates,  twenty -five  junipers,  against  one  in  the 
first  edition  ;  ten  new  (Thujce)  arbor  vitse,  and  seven 
yews. 

It  may  be  objected  that  these  are  not  all  hardy. 
They  may  not  be  in  one  particular  locality,  but  throughout 
the  length  and  breath  of  our  land,  we  have  a  sufficient 
variety  of  climate  for  ev  ery  thing,  and  if  one  cannot  grow 
a  tree  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Erie,  one  can,  perhaps,  in 
Pennsylvania  or  Virginia,  or  the  Carolinas,  or  Florida. 
Besides,  as  we  shall  hope  to  show,  a  great  deal  more  may 
be  done  in  planting  doubtful  trees  (than  is  done)  by  a  ju- 
dicious selection  of  site  and  soil.  We  further  hope  to 
show  that  in  our  best  places  where  there  is  the  desire 
and  means  to  make  large  collections,  that  one  should 


EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


475 


not  discard  a  tree  because  his  neighbor  may  have  not 
been  successful  with  it. 

There  are  many  reasons  which  may  operate  against 
the  success  of  a  tree  this  year,  and  for  several  years,  which 
may  disappear  in  time.  One  consideration,  and  that  an 
important  one,  is  shelter.  Plant  a  deodar  cedar  in  the 
middle  of  a  large  and  high  field,  thoroughly  and  en- 
tirely exposed  to  every  blast  that  blows,  with  the  full 
force  of  a  summer,  and  what  is  worse,  a  winter's  sun, 
and  it  is  hardly  possible  it  should  survive.  Plant  the 
same  tree  in  the  same  place  with  the  colder  winds 
broken  and  kept  off  by  masses  of  evergreens,  and 
shielded  from  the  pernicious  effects  of  the  early  spring 
sun,  and  the  chances  are  your  tree  will  succeed  and 
nourish. 

Again,  persons  are  very  apt  to  plant  their  new 
evergreens,  especially  if  they  are  rare  and  costly,  in 
what  are  called  "  well  prepared"  holes,  that  is,  in  holes 
redolent,  perhaps,  with  guano,  and  with  the  richest 
compost  to  be  obtained ;  if  the  new  plant  is  not  killed 
immediately  by  over-dosing,  it  is  at  any  rate  so  stimu- 
lated by  excess  of  food  as  to  make  a  succulent  redun- 
dant growth  of  imperfectly  ripened  wood,  which  is  sure 
to  be  killed  back  the  first  winter,  and  the  tree  become 
so  enfeebled  as  to  die  outright  the  second ;  or  the  plant 
may  have  vitality  enough  to  struggle  through  this  sur- 
feit and  after  staggering  for  months,  or  perhaps  a  year 
or  so,  with  this  indigestion,  manage  to  work  into  healthy, 
natural,  unprepared  soil,  and  eventually  become  a  tree. 
Then  again,  our  climate  is  constantly  changing.  This,  we 
think,  is  conceded  by  every  one  who  has  wintered  in 
the  country  the  past  five  or  ten  years,  and  trees  which 
could  not  or  would  not  stand  now,  may  five  years  hence  ; 
and,  lastly,  a  tree,  like  a  man  becomes  finally  more  or 
less  acclimatized  —  it  may  get  knocked  about  some- 
what at  first,  but  eventually  learns  to  stand  up  and  take 
care  of  itself.  The  Torreya,  for  instance  (and  we  have 
29 


476 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


many  such  trees  upon  this  place)  required  an  immense 
deal  of  coaxing  to  reconcile  it  to  to  our  northern  and 
changeable  climate.  The  first  year  we  left  it  out  it  was 
protected  by  a 'double  box,  the  interval  between  the  sidings 
being  filled  with  tan.  The  second  year,  the  tree  was 
sheathed  in  straw  and  protected  besides  by  a  single  box, 
with  a  few  air  holes  on  the  north  ;  the  third  year  it  was 
open  at  the  north,  but  protected  on  the  east,  south,  and 
west,  by  a  box  with  three  sides.  The  fourth  year  a  mat 
was  substituted  for  the  box,  and  the  fifth  year  it  passed 
alone  through  the  winter,  the  extreme  tip  of  some  of  its 
more  exuberant  shoots  being  a  little  injured — the  well- 
ripened  wood  being  untouched — since  when  it  survives 
our  most  severe  weather  without  injury,  and  now  takes 
its  place  among  the  really  hardy  evergreens.  We  should 
feel  no  more  apprehension  about  its  safety  in  our  worst 
winters  than  we  should  about  a  pine  or  hemlock. 

A  curious  fact  connected  with  this  tree  is,  that  plants 
propagated  from  cuttings  before  it  became  acclimatized 
are  still  tender,  while  plants  propagated  since  its  hardi- 
hood became  confirmed,  seem  quite  as  hardy  as  the 
parent. 

We  are  not  prepared  to  say  that  a  great  deal  of  this 
care  was  not  a  work  of  supererogation,  and  that  the 
tree  might  have  done  as  well  with  much  less  protection, 
and  for  half  the  number  of  winters,  but  we  were  work- 
ing in  the  dark ;  the  tree  was  a  native  of  Florida ;  it 
never  had  been  tried  here,  and  from  the  climate  whence 
it  originated,  we  did  not  suppose  it  would  stand,  and 
felt  consequently  disposed  to  take  extra  pains,  for  which 
we  are  quite  compensated  by  the  gain  of  a  new  and 
most  exquisite  variety,  and  the  certainty  of  our  know- 
ledge that  all  torreyas,  from  this  plant  at  least,  are 
are  perfectly  hardy  in  this  latitude. 

We  mention  this,  simply  as  one  illustration  of  a  great 
many  similar  experiments,  with  results  more  or  less 
successful,  because  we  are  quite  sure  it  is  within  the 


EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


477 


experience  of  most  persons  who  have  attempted  accli- 
matizing plants,  that  success  not  unfrequently  is  the 
reward,  when  from  the  habits  of  the  plants,  and  the 
character  of  the  climate  from  which  they  come,  a  con- 
trary result  might  be  anticipated.  We  remember  in 
England  some  ten  years  since,  seeing  at  Chatsworth  a 
plant  of  Weigela  rosea,  in  a  house  built,  if  we  mistake 
not,  expressly  for  it,  because  Sir  Joseph,  then  Mr. 
Paxton,  did  not  think  it  hardy — judging  probably  from 
the  country  to  which  it  belonged ;  and  now  there  is  no 
more  common  and  hardier  shrub,  and,  we  may  add, 
more  beautiful  in  the  season,  or  one  more  generally 
planted  in  the  Northern  States.  Mr.  Loudon  very  truly 
observes,  "That  though  the  nature  of  a  species  cannot 
be  so  far  altered  as  to  fit  an  inhabitant  of  a  very  hot 
climate  for  a  very  cold  one,  yet  that  the  habits  of  in- 
dividuals admit  of  considerable  variation,  and  that  some 
plants  of  warm  climates  are  found  to  adapt  themselves 
much  more  readily  to  cold  climates  than  others ;  thus 
the  common  passion  flower,  according  to  Dr.  Walker, 
when  first  introduced  into  the  Edinburgh  Botanic 
Garden,  lost  its  leaves  during  the  winter,  but  in  a  few 
years  the  same  plant  retained  the  greater  part  of  them 
at  that  season."  The  same  author  relates  that  plants  of 
the  common  yew,  sent  from  Paris  to  Stockholm,  to 
plant  certain  designs  of  Le  Notre  laid  out  there  for  the 
King  of  Sweden,  all  died,  although  the  yew  is  a  native 
of  that  country  as  well  as  France. 

"  Every  gardener,"  he  says,  "  must  have  observed  that 
the  common  weeds  which  have  sprung  up  in  pots,  in 
hot-beds,  or  in  hot-houses,  when  these  pots  happen  to 
be  set  out  in  the  open  air,  during  winter  or  spring, 
have  their  leaves  killed  or  injured,  whilst  the  same 
species  growing  in  the  open  ground  are  uninjured.'' 

We  have  ourselves  observed,  that  peach  trees  in  pots, 
if  by  chance  they  are  left  out  all  winter,  are  destroyed, 
though  the  same  tree  in  the  ground  can  resist  any 


478 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


degree  of  frost.  The  obvious  conclusion  to  be  drawn 
from  this  is,  not  that  peach  trees  are  not  hardy,  but 
under  certain  conditions  are  not  hardy  ;  which  facts  lead 
to  this  theory,  that  the  habits  of  plants  admit  of  a 
certain  degree  of  change  with  regard  to  the  climate 
which  they  will  bear;  that  the  degree  in  which  this 
power  exists  in  any  plant,  is  only  to  be  ascertained  by 
experiment,  by  trying  in  the  open  air  plants  usually 
considered  as  tender,  or  which  hitherto  have  been  kept 
under  glass. 

Our  usual  method  of  acclimatizing  a  plant,  is  to  select 
some  very  protected  and  shady  spot,  as  the  north  side 
of  a  thicket,  or  what  we  prefer,  the  interior  of  some 
evergreen  wood,  and  to  prepare  the  holes  six  feet  wide 
and  three  deep,  with  loose  but  poor  soil,  well  drained 
with  stones  for  the  lower  eight  or  ten  inches,  with 
barely  compost  enough  to  assist  the  tree  through  the 
summer.  For  the  first  two  or  three  years  in  winter, 
a  little  mound  of  earth,  eight  or  ten  inches  high,  is 
put  around  the  neck  of  the  plant,  to  prevent  the  bad 
effects  of  thawing  and  freezing  in  a  most  sensitive  part, 
and  cedar  or  hemlock  boughs,  are  placed  round  its 
branches ;  this  covering  diminishing  year  by  year,  as 
the  tree  obtains  size  and  vigor,  until  it  is  omitted 
altogether.  The  plant,  to  ensure  safety,  is  moved  once 
or  twice  within  this  wood,  each  time  to  a  more  exposed 
situation,  which  has  also  the  additional  advantage  (like 
root  pruning)  of  checking  all  redundancy  of  growth. 
When  it  exhibits  sufficient  strength,  it  is  transplanted 
to  its  final  situation  on  the  lawn — its  cedar  covering 
being  renewed  for  a  couple  of  winters — and,  if  it  can 
be  reconciled  to  the  climate,  it  is  now  supposed  to 
be  so. 

We  have  found  it  very  perplexing  to  arrive  at  any 
thorough  and  satisfactory  decision  as  to  comparative 
hardihood  of  trees  in  different  portions  of  the  United 
States,  from  its  being  so  difficult  to  reconcile  the  appa- 


EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


479 


rent  discrepancies  in  the  various  returns  which  we 
have  received  from  these  places,  and  we  are  led,  there- 
fore, to  these  conclusions,  viz  :  that  the  hardihood  and 
success  of  trees  depend  not  exclusively  upon  climate, 
and  that  a  few  degrees  of  latitude,  north  or  south,  are 
of  far  less  importance  than  proper  soil  and  situation,  and 
that  a  thorough  knowledge  of  what  to  do,  which  ex- 
perience alone,  after  many  mishaps,  can  teach,  will 
often  enahle  us  to  grow  trees  at  the  North  and  East 
which  do  not  seem  to  succeed  now  at  the  West  and  the 
South.  For  instance,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Natchez, 
within  six  miles  of  that  city,  and  on  an  elevation  of  three 
hundred  and  twenty-six  feet  above  the  river,  the 
Gardenia  Florida,  the  Pittosporum,  the  Magnolia  fuscata, 
the  M.  grandillora,  the  Olea  fragrans,  the  Myrtles  in 
variety,  the  English  laurel,  the  Laurestinus,  thrive 
perfectly. 

The  Deodar  cedar  and  Cryptomeria  Japonica,  never 
suffer  except  occasionally  from  caterpillars,  and  become 
luxuriant  trees  ;  there  being  specimens  of  the  former 
thirty  feet  high,  and  of  the  latter  fifteen  feet,  wi4th 
branches  in  both  trees  sweeping  the  ground.  Cunning- 
hamia  Sinensis  is  also  perfectly  hardy,  and  has  reached 
a  height  of  from  fifteen  to  eighteen  feet,  and  yet  the 
Abies  Smithiana  is  reported  as  not  quite  hardy  and 
sometimes  injured  by  spring  frosts,  though  at  New- 
port, the  Abies  Smithiana  is  said  to  be  the  hardiest  of 
all  the  spruces — more  so  even  than  the  Abies  excelsa 
(the  common  Norway).  Again,  in  a  report  from  Penn- 
sylvania, in  the  neighborhood  of  Warrior's  Mark,  on 
the  side  of  one  of  the  Alleghany  mountains,  at  an  altitude 
above  the  sea  of  1,020  feet,  and  in  latitude  40°  40',  and 
where  the  thermometer  has  indicated  ^3°  below  zero, 
where  even  the  Ailanthus,  Catalpa,  and  Paulownia  are 
annually  cut  to  the  ground,  the  Cryptomeria  nourishes, 
though  browned,  and  the  Deodar  cedar  survives,  though 
making  little  or  no  progress,  when  the  cedar  of  Le- 


480 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


banon,  the  Silver  cedar  and  the  Douglas  fir  are  killed 
outright.  Now  at  Wodenethe,  we  find  the  Silver  cedar 
and  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon  much  hardier  than  the 
Deodar,  yet  at  Newport  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon  will  not 
stand,  and  at  Philadelphia,  Mr.  Meehan  says  the  Deodar 
is  killed  on  dry  soil,  and  uninjured  on  wet ;  while  at  a 
country  place  near  Boston,  on  a  slope  facing  the  south, 
without  any  protection  or  shelter  from  other  trees, 
Deodar  cedars  planted  in  1853,  have  been  browned 
but  slightly,  though  exposed  to  the  sun  all  the  day  long. 
Cedars  of  Lebanon  planted  at  same  time,  get  more 
browned. 

It  is  very  evident  from  all  this,  we  think,  that  we 
cannot  form  any  decisive  opinion  as  to  what  is  and  what 
is  not  truly  hardy  in  any  one  portion  of  the  country, 
where  we  receive  so  many  contradictory  reports ;  but  it 
does  not  follow  that  a  failure  for  one  or  two  years, 
unless  very  complete,  should  discourage  us  so  entirely 
as  to  prevent  our  trying  the  same  plant  again  in  other 
situations  and  under  different  treatment.  Because  the 
Indian  spruce  (A.  Smithiana)  suffers  from  spring  frost 
near  Natchez,  when  the  Cryptomeria  and  Deodar  do  not, 
let  us  rather  hope  to  acclimatize  it  by  moving  the  spruce 
to  a  higher  or  drier  situation,  where  being  more  re- 
tarded, it  will  either  ripen  off  its  annual  growth  better, 
or  push  later  in  the  spring.  If  the  Indian  spruce  is 
hardier  at  Newport,  where  the  thermometer  sometimes 
gets  very  low,  than  the  common  Norway,  there  can  be 
little  doubt  but  what  it  will  grow  near  Natchez,  when 
properly  placed.  If  too,  the  Deodar  cedar,  and  Cedar 
of  Lebanon  thrive  near  Philadelphia,  in  wet  and  low, 
instead  of  high  and  dry  soil,  it  will  be  very  easy  for 
planters  of  these  trees  in  that  vicinity  to  adopt  this 
hint ;  while  we,  who  have  found  the  reverse  of  this 
true,  will  act  in  accordance  with  our  experience. 

So  also  of  the  Cryptomeria — if  it  has  been  found  to 
withstand  a  cold  of  23°  below  zero,  on  the  Alleghany 


EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


48i 


mountains,  at  an  elevation  of  1,020  feet  above  the  sea — 
where  even  the  Ailanthus  was  destroyed,  we  cannot  see 
why  this  tree  may  not  stand  in  any  other  part  of  the 
country,  at  the  same  elevation,  having  no  greater  degree 
of  cold,  but  always  under  the  same  circumstances  and 
conditions.  What  these  are,  unfortunately,  the  tree 
only  knows ;  possibly  a  frost,  even  as  severe  as  this,  at 
a  great  distance  from  the  sea,  may  be  less  injurious  than 
half  the  amount  of  frost  near  salt  water ;  or  the  severe 
weather  may  come  and  go,  gradually,  without  the  great 
variations  common  in  the  middle  States  ;  which  varia- 
tion we  have  always  believed  most  destructive  to  veget- 
able, as  it  is  injurious  to  animal  life;  and  finally,  the 
conclusion  we  must  inevitably  come  to  is  that  the 
organism  of  a  plant  is  as  wonderful  and  mysterious  as 
that  of  a  man,  and  that,  with  certain  general  rules  as 
to  planting  and  treatment,  we  must  grope  in  the  dark 
until  many  more  years  of  experience  in  different  parts 
of  the  United  States,  enable  us  to  know  what  we  can 
and  what  we  cannot  grow.  We  trust,  however,  that 
some  assistance  may  be  obtained  from  the  reports  we 
have  been  enabled  to  procure  from  different  parts  of  the 
country,  by  which  planters  in  those  localities  will  be 
able  to  do  as  well  as  their  neighbors,  if  they  can  give 
their  trees  the  same  advantages. 

Another  reason  why  we  proposed  to  give  in  this 
supplement  a  more  complete  account  and  list  of  all  the 
evergreens,  hardy  and  half-hardy,  which  have  been 
introduced  into  this  country  of  late  years  is  (and  we 
quote  again  in  part  from  Mr.  Loudon),  that  we  think  there 
are  few  scenes  in  an  ornamental  garden  or  pleasure- 
ground,  of  greater  interest  to  a  person  having  any  taste 
or  knowledge  of  Botany,  however  slight,  than  a  collec- 
tion of  trees  and  shrubs,  natives  of  foreign  climates, 
which,  though  they  would  be  destroyed  if  exposed  in 
the  winter,  yet  when  planted  (turned  out),  or  sunk 
in  the  ground  during  the  summer,  exhibit  a  degree  of 
31 


482 


LANDSCAPE  GAKDENING. 


beauty  and  luxuriance  which  they  never  do  or  could 
attain  in  a  green-house  or  conservatory  ;  and  which 
require  in  the  winter  simply  the  protection  of  a  cool 
green-house,  or  in  most  cases  of  a  cold  pit  sufficiently 
deep  and  protected  to  exclude  the  frost,  and  with  faci- 
lities for  occasionally  admitting  air  for  ventilation. 

A  pit  of  this  description,  well  drained  and  dry,  and 
twelve  or  fifteen  feet  deep,  might  accommodate  plants 
ten  or  twelve  feet  high,  which,  when  planted  out  in  the 
pleasure-grounds  during  the  summer,  the  tub  or  pots 
being  sunk  out  of  sight  in  the  soil,  would  produce  the 
most  extraordinary  and  charming  effects.  By  an  intro- 
duction and  combination  in  our  own  grounds  of  bananas, 
palms,  aloes,  the  different  arundos  (a  species  of  bamboo), 
the  different  draca3nas,  the  New  Zealand  flax  (Phor- 
mium  tenax),  Bamhusa  metake  (another  variety  of 
bamboo),  which  we  hope  will  prove  hardy,  the  different 
Cannas,  and  a  mingling  of  the  rarer  evergreens,  like  the 
Araucarias  (of  which  Cunninghamii  and  excelsa  are 
very  effective),  we  have,  we  think,  produced  a  very 
pleasing  effect.  These,  with  the  Indian  cedars,  and 
Southern  and  Mexican  long-leaved  pines,  have  quite 
changed  a  portion  of  our  grounds  from  an  American  to 
a  tropical  and  oriental  landscape. 

All  these  plants  we  have  named,  and  the  newer  tender 
evergreens  which  we  have  not  as  yet  named,  would  win- 
ter safely  (excepting  perhaps  the  araucaria  excelsa),  in 
a  cold  pit  or  cool  green-house,  or  a  dry  cellar,  where 
there  was  some  light  and  no  frost.  If  we  add  to  these 
the  great  variety  and  number  of  evergreen  shrubs — the 
different  evergreen  Magnolias,  the  Hollies,  the  Laurel, 
the  Portugal  laurel,  the  half-hardy  Rhododendrons,  all  of 
which  are  too  tender  for  our  climate,  we  cannot  but 
believe  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  instead  of 
keeping  green-houses  for  the  preservation  of  the  ordinary 
green-house  plants,  persons  of  taste  will  build  pits  for 
the  preservation  of  half-hardy  evergreens  and  ligneous 


EV  ERG  KEEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


483 


plants,  which,  when  judiciously  arranged  and  combined 
in  the  summer,  will  alter  the  whole  character  of  their 
grounds.  We  have  in  our  eye  at  this  moment,  many 
fine  places,  both  on  this  river  and  in  different  parts  of 
the  country,  where  large  green-houses  and  conservatories 
are  kept  up  all  winter,  at  a  great  expense,  and  where 
the  plants  literally  "  waste  their  fragrance  on  the  desert 
air,"  as  the  families  are  away  in  cities  at  too  great  a 
distance  to  admit  their  flowers  being  sent  to  them. 

These  very  places  in  summer  present  a  very  unat- 
tractive and  meagre  appearance,  being  planted  simply 
with  the  older  and  less  beautiful  trees  and  shrubs — in 
many  cases  with  little  or  no  flower  garden.  The  Came- 
lias,  Azalias,  Geraniums,  and  other  plants  being  stowed 
away  out  of  sight,  until  the  return  of  another  winter, 
when  they  will  again  bloom  for  the  benefit,  solely,  of  the 
gardener  and  his  friends. 

Were  these  same  houses  at  a  consumption  of  one-half 
or  one-fifth  the  amount  of  fuel  and  labor,  devoted  to  the 
cultivation  (or  rather  to  the  preservation,  for  they  re- 
quire no  cultivation  or  attention  in  the  winter  beyond 
an  occasional  watering),  of  half-hardy  evergreens  and 
tender  plants,  the  compensation  and  enjoyment  from 
them  in  summer  would  be  ten-fold  that  derived  from 
the  usual  occupation  of  plant-houses ;  and  in  cases 
where  families  are  permanent  residents  of  the  country, 
let  them  devote  a  portion  of  their  green-houses  to  this 
purpose,  or  have  some  arrangement  of  pits  as  we  have 
above  described. 

We  must  bear  in  mind  one  fact :  that  as  excellent 
models  as  the  English  are  in  all  matters  pertaining  to 
country  life,  yet  they  use  their  places  only  in  the  winter, 
and  we,  as  a  general  rule,  only  in  the  summer ;  while 
it  is,  therefore,  very  important  for  them  to  have  their 
grounds  and  green-houses  adorned  with  those  plants  and 
shrubs  which  will  make  it  most  agreeable  and  delight- 
ful at  the  season  when  they  are  at  home,  in  the  winter, 


4S4  LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 

yet  the  reverse  of  this  is  true  with  us.  Our  object 
should  be  to  make  our  places  as  gay  and  interesting  as 
possible,  at  those  portions  of  the  year  when  we  live  at 
them.  What  advantage  is  it  to  plant  the  beautiful  varie- 
ties of  double  and  single  thorns,  the  Judas  tree,  the 
Forsyihia,  or  the  Magnolias  in  those  places  which  the 
families  or  owners  do  not  reach  until  the  season  of  their 
inflorescence  is  past ;  where  one  lives  in  the  country 
from  June  to  October,  the  whole  force  should  be  ap- 
plied to  those  plants,  shrubs,  and  flowers  which  bloom 
during  these  four  months  ;  and  as  a  majority  of  our 
country  gentlemen  clo  not  get  out  to  their  places  much 
before  June,  and  are  apt  to  become  very  restless  after 
the  early  part  of  October,  we  think  a  selection  of  those 
plants  should  be  made  most  useful  and  attractive  during 
this  time  ;  and  we  do  not  know  anything  more  effective 
than  the  proper  mingling  of  some  of  the  large  showy 
exotics  and  tender  evergreens  we  have  mentioned. 
Of  course  we  do  not  suggest  this  as  general,  but  merely 
to  those — and  their  number  is  now  large — who  have  a 
taste  for  planting  the  newer  and  more  striking  conifers. 

In  concluding  this  section  we  will  merely  add  :  that 
with  one  or  two  exceptions,  we  have  described  only 
those  plants  and  shrubs  which  we  have  ourselves  seen, 
and  which,  in  almost  every  instance,  we  have  growing 
upon  our  own  place.  We  believe  that  a  correctness  in 
description,  and  an  honest  statement  of  the  merits  and 
demerits  of  each  plant,  will,  more  than  anything  else, 
contribute  to  the  main  end  we  have  in  view — the  ex- 
tension of  the  taste  for  planting  the  newer  deciduous 
and  evergreen  trees. 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 

Abies.    The  Spruce  Firs. 
Abies  alba  nana  (the  Dwarf  White  spruce  fir— or  Prostrate 
White  spruce)  is  only  a  dwarf  variety  of  our  native  White 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  485 


Spruce  fir,  seldom  growing  more  than  a  bushof  three  or  four 
feet,  and  perfectly  hardy,  all  over  the  United  States. 

A.  a.  glauca. — A  very  distinct  and  striking  variety  of  the 
American  White  spruce,  with  very  white,  silvery  leaves — 
originating  in  England,  but  hardy  here. 

A.  a.  minima. — Another  minute  English  variety,  being 
the  dwarfest  of  all  the  spruces  ;  and  we  presume  would  be 
hardy  in  this  country. 

A.  Brunoniana  (the  Indian  hemlock  spruce). — Classed  by 
Syn.  Carriere  among  the  Tsugas,  those  kinds  with 

A.  dumosa.  flat  ieaveSj  m0stly  glaucous  below. 

We  are  somewhat  perplexed  in  making  up  our  mind  about 
the  future  condition  of  this  charming  tree,  as  to  its  availability. 
If  it  succeed  at  all,  it  will  certainly  require  a  good  deal  of 
coaxing.  Our  own  experience  has  been  very  various.  It  has 
stood  some  winters  well,  and  others,  not  as  cold  but  possibly 
damper,  seem  to  have  destroyed  it ;  and  yet,  Mr.  Smith  writes 
us  from  Newport,  it  has  stood  there  three  years.  At  Wash- 
ington it  is  reported  tender,  as  well  as  at  Philadelphia,  Flush- 
ing, and  at  Mr.  Reids'  nursery  at  Elizabethtown.  We  do  not, 
however,  see  why  it  may  not  eventually  prove  hardy  after  a 
little  acclimatization,  since  Dr.  Hooker  found  it  in  Sikkin 
at  an  elevation  of  nine  thousand  to  ten  thousand  feet  on  the 
side  of  Kunchinjinga,  probably  the  loftiest  peak  in  the  world, 
where  it  reaches  a  height  of  seventy  to  eighty  feet.  Most  per- 
sons would  take  it  for  a  hemlock  spruce,  except  that  the  under 
part  cf  the  leaves  are  perfectly  white,  forming,  when  moved  by 
the  wind,  a  beautiful  blending  of  green  and  silver. 

A.  excelsa  pygmcea — a  very  pretty  dwarf  variety  of  the  Nor- 
way spruce,  not  exceeding  a  foot  or  so  in  height,  but  spreading 
very  much.  The  specimens  in  our  grounds  do  not  seem  affect- 
ed by  the  severest  winters. 

A.  e.  monsirosa. — Another  hardy  variety  of  Norway  spruce, 
with  straggling  habit,  but  destitute  of  branchlets,  somewhat  re- 
sembling the  araucaria  imbricata  in  appearance. 

A.  e.  pendula. — Also  a  seedling  of  the  Norway  spruce,  dif- 
fering only  in  having  its  branches  more  drooping ;  hardy. 

A,  e.  variegata — A  Variegated  variety  of  our  common  Nor- 
way, pretty,  distinctive,  and  hardy. 


486 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


A.  e.  Clanbrasiliana  (Lord  ClanbrasiPs  variety). — Exceed- 
ingly dwarf  and  perfectly  hardy ;  leaves,  only  half  an  inch  long, 
and  the  mature  plant  not  over  three  feet. 

A.  e.  elegans. — A  pretty  Dwarf  harjdy  variety,  with  slender 
gray  foliage  reaching  the  height  of  four  or  five  feet. 

A.  e.  diffusa,  A.  e.  compacta,  A.  e.  pumila,  A.  e.  attenuata 
— are  four  Dwarf  varieties  of  the  Norway  spruce,  similar 
in  growth  and  general  appearance  to  those  mentioned  above, 
and  very  hardy.  In  fact,  wherever  the  Norway  spruce 
can  be  grown,  these  eight  or  ten  dwarf  varieties  can,  and 
when  grouped  with  the  dwarf  pine,  P.  strobus  pumilis,  and 
the  Dwarf  Scotch  fir,  P.  sylvestris  pumilis,  neither,  of  which 
ever  exceed  four  or  five  feet,  they  make  a  very  interesting  and 
striking  plantation. 

A.  Menziesii — (Menzies1  fir)  known  also  A.  Sitchensis — is  a 
tall  tree,  with  light  glaucous-colored  foliage,  growing  sixty  to 
seventy  feet  high  ;  a  native  of  northern  California  and  the  island 
of  Sitcha;  quite  hardy  here.  Our  specimens,  which  have  been 
out  some  five  or  six  years,  occasionally  get  scorched  by  the 
summer  ;  in  the  latitude  of  Philadelphia  it  does,  likewise,  very 
well,  as  also  at  Cincinnati,  Newport,  Washington,  Boston, 
Flushing,  in  New  Jersey,  and  even  at  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  when  in 
shade. 

A.  obovata  (Obovate-coned  spruce),  known  and  imported  by 
Syn  us    as  A.    Wittmanniana,  is   as  yet  com- 

A.  Scinenkiana.     paratively  new.    Judging  from  the  appear- 

A.  Aianensis.  <?  •  i  -i 

J  ance  or  our  specimens  now,  we  should  sup- 

pose it  would  prove  hardy,  which  is  most  likely  to  be  the  case 
with  firs  coming  from  so  high  an  altitude  as  the  Altai  moun- 
tains. It  is  also  found  in  Siberia.  It  resembles  the  common 
spruce.  It  is  quite  hardy  at  Flushing,  which  is  the  only  place 
we  can  discover  where  it  has  been  tried. 

A.  orientalis  (Eastern  spruce). — A  peculiar  tree,  with  dense 
short  foliage  covering  the  branches  on  all  sides,  growing 
seventy  to  eighty  feet  high,  and  forming  a  conical-shaped  head. 
A  native  of  the  Black  Sea,  on  the  loftiest  mountains  of 
Imeretia,  in  Upper  Mongrelia ;  perfectly  hardy  here,  and  at 
Washington  ;  comparatively  well  at  Newport,  our  youngest  spe- 
cimens here,  were  untouched  even  by  the  winters  of  1856-7. 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  487 


A.  Smithiana  (the  Indian  spruce). — This  magnificent  tree 
„  is  found  on  the  mountains  from  Bootan  to 

Syn. 

A.  Morinda.  Kafiristan,  at  an  elevation  of  from  7,000  to 
A.  Khutrow.  12,000  feet.  It  resembles  somewhat  in  its 
size  and  habit  of  growth,  the  finest  Norway  spruce,  though 
much  more  pendulous  and  graceful,  and  with  a  darker,  richer 
foliage,  especially  when  grown  in  the  shade  It  occa- 
sionally reaches  a  height  of  170  feet,  though  its  usual  average 
is  100  to  150.  It  is  also  found  in  China  and  Japan,  where  it 
is  called  "  Toranowo-momi "  (the  Tiger's  tail).  Although  we 
imported  this  tree  some  six  to  eight  years  ago,  we  have  not 
as  yet  succeeded  in  raising  any  very  fine  specimens.  When 
much  exposed  to  the  full  action  of  the  sun's  rays,  it  becomes  a 
dingy  yellow  green,  and  is  very  apt  to  lose  its  leader,  and  young 
plants  are  sometimes  killed  down  to  the  snow-line.  This  is 
also  the  experience  in  the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia, 
Boston,  and  Columbus,  though  hardy  at  Cincinnati.  When 
planted  with  us  in  the  shade,  however,  it  seems  to  do  much 
better  in  retaining  its  leader,  and  we  have  little  doubt  it  may, 
after  some  struggle,  eventually  be  acclimatized,  especially 
when  planted  in  dry,  gravelly,  well-drained  soil.  At  Chestnut 
Hill,  near  Philadelphia,  there  are  perfect  specimens,  eight  to 
ten  feet  high,  with  leaders.  We  have  no  specimen  at  Wodenethe 
over  six  feet,  though  very  broad  in  proportion.  At  Washing- 
ton, it  is  returned  to  us  as  hardy  and  beautiful.  The 
largest  specimens  in  the  public  grounds,  planted  by  Mr. 
Downing,  in  1852,  are  five  feet.  At  Newport,  it  is  reported 
as  hardier  and  finer  than  A.  excelsa  (the  Common  Norway), 
though  at  Messrs.  Parsons,'  at  Flushing,  Mr.  Hogg's,  near  York- 
ville,  and  Mr.  Peid's,  at  Elizabethtown,  the  younger  shoots 
are  sometimes  injured,  and  it  does  better  in  the  shade.  At 
Woodlawn,  N.  J.  (Mr.  Field's),  the  oldest  specimens  are 
seven  feet  high,  and  do  not  now  suffer  from  the  winter,  perhaps 
from  the  redundancy  of  growth  being  slightly  checked  by 
having  been  moved  several  times.  They  have  also  borne 
cones,  which  at  first  were  erect  like  the  Picea's,  but,  afterwards 
pendulous  like  the  Abies',  which  accounts  for  the  confusion 
mentioned  by  Mr.  Loudon,  that  has  existed  as  to  whether 
this  tree  was  an  abies  or  a  picea. 


488 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


A.  Douglasii  (the  Douglas  fir). — Another  superb  tree,  re- 
Syn  specting  the  hardihood  of  which,  very  much  the 

Tsuga  Douglasii.  same  remarks  we  made  about  the  preceding 

Picea  Douglasii.  variety  ^  Smithiana),  will  apply.  Plants 
with  us,  in  low,  damp  ground,  suffer  occasionally  in  color,  if 
not  in  loss  of  leader,  while  those  grown  in  the  shade,  or  on  an 
exposed  hill-side,  in  poor,  slaty  soil,  succeed  admirably.  This 
is  also  the  case  near  Boston,  at  "  Wellesley"  (Mr.  Hunne- 
well's),  where  trees,  two  years  planted,  are  five  feet  high,  and 
do  admirably  in  the  shade ;  while  at  Mr.  Reid's,  at  Elizabeth- 
town,  it  loses  its  leader  in  severe  winters ;  and  near  Phila- 
delphia, Mr.  Meehan  reports  :  "  that  so  far  it  has  not  been 
satisfactory.''  At  Washington,  perfectly  hardy  ;  at  Newport, 
it  wont  stand ;  though  at  Augusta,  Ga.,  and  Cincinnati,  it 
thrives  well.  The  variety  originates  in  the  north-western 
part  of  North  America,  and  along  the  banks  of  the  Columbia 
River,  where  it  is  found  in  immense  forests,  and  also  on  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  on  the  top  of  which,  it  rarely  is  more  than 
a  small  bush,  but  becomes  larger  and  more  stately  as  it 
descends,  until  it  reaches  the  altitude  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  to  two  hundred  feet.  Its  foliage  is  very  dark,  and  the 
tree  generally  resembles  a  superb  balsam  fir. 

A.  Jezoensis  (the  Jezo  fir),  found  in  China,  and  the  Island  of 
s  Jezo,  is  probably  hardy,  though  we  have  not 

Picea  Jezoensis.  heard  of  its  being  tested  sufficiently  to  pronounce 
decidedly.  It  is  quite  striking.  There  has  been 
a  good  deal  of  confusion  in  its  classification,  as  to  whether  it  is 
a  spruce  or  Silver  fir,  and  it  would  seem  to  be  intermediate, 
though  we  believe  with  persistent  cones.  Our  specimens, 
which  are  small,  seem  quite  hardy,  and  are  not  very  unlike  in 
their  general  appearance,  the  Torreya,  and  also  the  Cephalo- 
taxus. 


Araucaria. 

This  extraordinary  and  most  distinguished  genus  of  plants 
derives  its  name  from  Araucanos,  a  people  of  Chili,  wh.ere  the 
species  known  as  imbricata  greatly  abounds,  its  seeds  being 
used  for  food. 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


4S9 


The  only  variety  which  approaches  hardihood  in  this  part  of  the 
country  is  the  A.  imbricata,  (Chili  pine),  which  when  planted  in 
sand  and  gravel  on  well  drained  soil,  and  in  a  shady  wood,  succeeds 
quite  well — that  is  to  say,  we  have  specimens  which  withstood 
the  severe  winters  of  1855-6-7,  with  no  other  protection  than 
a  few  hemlock  boughs,  and  came  out  perfectly  bright  and 
green  in  the  spring,  even  with  their  leaders  uninjured  for  the 
past  three  years.  Both  sun  and  wet  are  fatal  to  it,  and  in 
situations  where  there  are  no  side-hills  sloping  to  the  north,  it 
should  be  planted  on  the  north  of  buildings,  on  little  mounds, 
with  at  least  the  lower  foot  in  the  holes  filled  with  stones  for 
drainage.  Mr.  Saunders  informs  us  that  there  are  some  fine 
healthy  trees  near  Baltimore,  with  upright  shoots.  At  Wash- 
ington, a  specimen  planted,  in  1852,  by  Mr.  Downing,  in  the 
public  grounds  has  succeeded  admirably,  though  a  little  injured 
by  the  winter  of  1856.  It  does  not  stand  at  Newport,  and  at 
Flushing,  and  in  New  Jersey  succeeds  only  when  sheltered  ; 
so  also  at  Cincinnati.  In  Augusta  it  is  eminently  successful. 
The  other  varieties,  A.  Bidwili,  A.  Brasiliensis,  A.  Cunning- 
hamii,  and  A.  excelsa  (the  beautiful  Norfolk  Island  pine),  are 
too  tender  for  any  but  our  extreme  Southern  States,  though  all 
thriving,  except  excelsa,  in  the  open  ground  at  Augusta,  Ga. ;  but 
for  purposes  of  ornament  to  cultivated  grounds  in  summer  we 
know  nothing  more  distinguished  than  these  different  varieties 
grown  in  tubs  and  protected  in  winter  in  a  common  green-house. 


Biota. 

The  Chinese  or  Eastern  arbor  vita3,  so  called  to  distinguish 
it  from  Thvja,  the  American  or  "Western  arbor  vitae. 

B.  orienialis,  (Chinese  arbor  vitae),  which  was  but  compara- 
tively new,  when  this  book  was  first  published,  has  not  proved 
quite  as  hardy  or  as  available  as  was  at  first  hoped ;  all  our 
reports,  from  different  parts  of  the  country,  speak  of  it  in  most 
cases  as  not  quite  hardy,  at  any  rate  doing  better  in  protected 
situations.  Even  in  New  Jersey  it  is  sometimes  killed  to  the 
ground  in  severe  winters.  Our  best  returns  are  from  "Washing- 
ton,  where  it  is  reported  as  very  commonly  planted  and  per- 
fectly successful.    At  Woodlawn,  N.  J.  (Mr.  Field's),  there  is  a 


490 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


hedge  of  it  many  years  planted,  which  suffered  a  great  deal  at 
first,  but  of  late  years,  by  severe  cutting  in  the  spring  it  seems 
to  have  become  quite  acclimatized. 

B.  orientalis  glauca,  and  B.  argentea,  are  new  varieties, 
not  yet,  we  think,  introduced ;  the  first  a  seedling  of  Messrs. 
Pince,  of  Exeter,  England,  of  a  very  silvery  appearance,  and 
the  latter  resembling  the  Aurea,  being  silver  instead  of  gold. 

B.  orientalis  aurea,  (the  Golden  arbor  vitas,)  is  a  seedling  of 
Messrs.  Waterer,  in  England,  we  believe  from  the  old  B. 
orientalis  (the  Chinese  arbor  vitas).  The  B.  aurea  is  a  pretty, 
dense,  and  beautifully  compact  little  shrub,  growing  not  over 
two  or  three  feet  high,  of  an  exquisite  delicate  green  in 
winter,  and  a  golden  color  at  the  extremities  of  its  branches  in 
spring. 

It  is  perfectly  hardy  with  us,  at  Fishkill,  though  forty  miles 
above  us  it  does  not  stand  well ;  but  we  have  observed  that  our 
trees,  now  several  years  old,  though  untouched  by  the  cold  or 
sun,  lose  very  much  the  compact  pressed  appearance  so  charac- 
teristic of  the  English  plants,  and  its  principal  charm  we  think, 
on  this  account.  In  complete  collections  of  evergreens  this  is 
one  of  the  varieties  we  should  recommend  to  be  grown  in  pots 
and  kept  in  the  house  during  the  winter,  although  there  is  no 
doubt  of  its  hardihood  here. 

B.  pendula.  (Weeping  arbor  vitas). — A  bush  or  small  tree, 
Syn.  growing  ten  to  fifteen  feet  high,  with  very  long, 

Thuja  pendula,     slender,  pendulous  branches :  is  one  of  the 

Thuja  filiformis.  ...  „     ,  . 

greatest  acquisitions  to  our  perfectly  hardy 
trees.  Our  largest  specimen,  eight  to  ten  feet,  has  survived 
our  coldest  winters  and  hottest  summers  for  ten  or  twelve 
years,  without  the  slightest  protection.  Nothing  can  well  be 
prettier  or  more  graceful  than  this  charming  little  tree.  We 
do  not  know  why  this  should  not  be  hardy  in  our  most  northern 
States,  though,  we  understand,  it  is  sometimes  killed  near 
Philadelphia ;  yet  near  Boston,  and  at  Washington,  it  does  as 
well  as  here.  It  was  at  one  time  supposed  to  be  a  hybrid  be- 
tween the  Common  Red  cedar  and  an  arbor  vitas,  and  to 
have  originated  in  a  nursery  in  England ;  but  Dr.  Siebold  hav- 
ing discovered  the  plant  wild  in  China,  finally  decided  the 
question. 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  491 


B.  orientalis  gracilis. — This  variety,  which  we  have  received 
under  the  latter  name,  Nepalensis,  is  perfectly  hardy 
syn'  and  much  more   slender  and  graceful  than  the 

B.  Nepalensis.  .  . 

common  Chinese.  It  is  found  in  JNepaul  and 
Northern  India.  We  consider  it  one  of  the  most  interesting  of 
the  arbor  vitae. 

B.  Tartarica  (Tartarian  arbor  vitae). — A  dense  conical  bush 
Syn.  growing  ten  feet  high,  a  native  of  Tartary  ;  quite 

B.  pyramidaiis.  distinctive.    Our  specimen,  eight  feet  high,  has 

Thuja  australis.  r  '      °  &  ' 

always  proved  perfectly  hardy. 
We  are  inclined  to  believe  that  this  variety  may  be  often 
confounded  with  and  sold  for  what  is  called  the  Siberian  arbor 
vitae,  and  the  place  of  its  origin  would  seem  to  justify  this ;  but 
we  do  not  find,  in  all  our  authorities  or  in  any  of  the  English 
or  French  catalogues,  any  mention  of  the  Siberian  arbor  vitae, 
except  as  a  synonym  of  T.  occidentalis  (the  American  arbor 
vitae),  which,  what  is  known  in  this  country  as  Siberian,  cer- 
tainly is  not.  It  is  also  associated  with  Warreana,  though  the 
latter  came  from  Nootka  Sound,  and  would  seem  to  be  identi- 
cal with  Don's  plicata. 


Cedrus.    The  Cedar. 

C.  Ailantica  (the  Mount  Atlas  cedar),  or  better  known  in 
syn,  this  country  as  the  Silver  cedar  of  Lebanon,  is  only 

C.  argentea.  a  variety  of  the  ordinary  Cedar  of  Lebanon  with 
glaucous  leaves.  It  is  not  impossible,  however,  but  what  it 
may  be  in  certain  localities  hardier,  since  it  thrives  perfectly  at 
Newport,  when  the  common  Cedar  of  Lebanon  is  cut  down  and 
not  unfrequently  killed.  This  is  also  the  report  from  Flush- 
ing. 

As  all  the  remarks,  we  propose  to  make  about  the  Cedar  of 
Lebanon,  apply  to  this  tree,  we  shall  refer  our  readers  to  the 
succeeding  pages. 

C.  deodar  a  (the  Deodar  or  Indian  Cedar). — The  anticipations 
Syn.  formed  of  this  most  graceful  evergreen  in  the 

Pinus  deodara.  first  edition  of  this  book,  we  truly  regret  to  say, 
have  not  been  generally  fulfilled.  It  grows  so  readily  and  so 
rapidly,  particularly  in  the  later  autumn  months,  that  it  is  with 


492 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


great  reluctance  we  feel  constrained  to  admit  it  is  not  to  be  de- 
pended upon.  It  is  certainly  the  most  delusive  of  all  evergreens. 
We  have  upon  this  place  raised  specimens  twelve  to  fifteen  feet 
high,  as  perfect  as  could  be,  but  which  the  winters  of  1855-6 
severely  injured,  and  the  subsequent  winter  finished  to  the  snow- 
line. These  trees  are  now  about  eight  or  nine  feet  high,  with 
several  leaders,  and  nearly  fifty  feet  in  circumference,  mostly 
holding  their  color  well  so  far  this  winter,  though  having  been 
subjected  to  a  temperature,  for  two  days,  of  15°  below  zero. 
The  fault  of  the  tree  (if  so  charming  a  tree  can  have  any 
fault)  is  its  habit,  like  the  Cryptomeria  and  Taxodium  sem- 
pervirens,  and  many  other  of  the  new  evergreens,  of  making  a 
late  autumnal  growth  without  ripening  off  its  wood. 

The  fact  that  the  tree  below  the  snow-line  almost  always 
appears  fresh  and  green,  proves,  we  think,  quite  satisfactorily, 
that  some  protection,  and  no  or  little  sun,  will  go  far  towards 
establishing  its  hardihood.  A  wood,  or  the  north  side  ot 
buildings,  will  accomplish  this ;  and  if  to  this,  we  add  such  a 
preparation  of  soil  as  will  retard  rather  than  stimulate  the  tree, 
so  that  by  accomplishing  an  early  growth  it  may  ripen  off  its 
wood,  we  think  we  may  again  hope  to  acclimatize  the 
Deodar,  which  as  now  grown  in  the  Middle  States,  hardly 
amounts  to  more  than  a  bush,  annually  increasing  in  amplitude, 
but  not  in  height.  There  are  portions  of  this  country,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Washington  possibly,  and  in  Southern  Vir- 
ginia, and  about  that  latitude,  and  as  far  south  as  Augusta, 
Ga.,  where  it  succeeds  admirably.  In  the  extreme  south  it 
suffers  from  the  sun  in  summer  as  much  as  it  does  here  from 
the  sun  in  winter.  There  are,  however,  specimens  at  Mr. 
Affleck's,  near  Natchez,  twenty-five  to  thirty  feet  high,  and  fea- 
thering to  the  ground.  At  Flushing,  L.  I.,  in  Ohio,  in  New  Jer- 
sey, and  near  New  York,  it  does  best  in  some  shelter  ;  though  at 
"  Woodlawn,"  near  Princeton,  a  specimen,  ten  feet  high,  and 
thirty-three  in  circumference,  stands  well  in  the  most  exposed 
situations.  When  first  imported,  it  was  supposed  to  be  hardier 
than  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon,  but  subsequent  experience  does 
not  confirm  this — at  least  in  our  case. 

C.  dsodara  viridis  (the  Green  deodar),  C.  deodar  a  robusta 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  493 


(the  Robust  deodar),  are  only  varieties  of  the  common  deo- 
dar— the  former  being  of  a  slenderer  habit,  and  more  vivid 
green,  and  the  latter  much  coarser  and  stouter.  As  these  two 
varieties  are  out  with  us  for  the  first  time  this  winter,  we  can 
not  as  yet  say  how  hardy  they  may  prove,  and  we  have  no 
returns  from  any  other  place. 

We  may  as  well,  perhaps,  add  here,  that  Mr.  Meehan 
reports,  near  Philadelphia,  "all  Deodars  on  wet  low  soils  are 
uninjured,  while  those  on  dry  are  killed  outright."  This  is 
the  contrary  of  our  theory  and  experience  here  certainly, 
but  facts  are  better  than  arguments,  and  time  alone  will  show 
whether  a  damp  or  dry  soil  is  most  congenial  to  this  plant. 

C.  Lehani  (Cedar  of  Lebanon.) — This  is  another  variety  of 
Syn%  the  genus  Cedrus,  so  distinct  and  remarkable 

Pinus  cedrus.  that  we  regret  being  compelled  to  say  it  has 
also  fallen  short  of  what  was  expected  and 
hoped  of  it ;  and  we  doubt,  if,  with  a  few  exceptions,  there  are 
more  specimens  now  in  this  country,  or  much  larger,  than 
when  Mr.  Downing  wrote  his  first  edition.  After  the  specimen 
at  Throgg's  Neck  (Mr.  Ashe's),  the  next  best  we  know  of  is  at 
Woodlawn  (Mr.  Field's),  at  Princeton,  N.  J.,  where  a  specimen 
(Fig.  38)  planted  in  1842  is  now  thirty-six  feet  high,  bearing 
cones,  and  may  be  considered  beyond  all  risk  ;  and  also  some 
trees  at  Laurel  Hill  Cemetery,  near  Philadelphia,  planted  by 
Mr.  J.  J.  Smith,  the  founder  of  that  most  lovely  and  interesting 
of  rural  cemeteries. 

These  trees  were  only  slightly  browned  in  the  severe  winters 
of  1855-6.  But  Mr.  Field's  soil  is  a  light  sandy  loam,  and 
that  of  Laurel  Hill,  a  gravel  or  disentegrated  rock,  lying  high 
above  the  surface  of  the  Schuylkill,  and  so  protected  by  trees 
as  to  allow  even  the  Gordonia  pubescens  to  flourish  to  the 
height  of  forty  feet,  strewing  the  ground  in  September  with  its 
fragrant  blossoms.  In  both  these  cases,  as  in  our  own,  the  soil 
has  been  dry,  and  the  tree  not  stimulated  by  a  damp,  rich 
position  ;  and  although  the  winter  of  1855-6  reduced,  with  us, 
a  tree  of  fifteen  feet  to  eight,  yet  other  specimens,  a  little  less 
exposed  to  the  full  influence  of  the  morning  sun,  suffered 
simply  a  little  browning  of  the  leaves,  and  have  since  gone 
through  an  ordinary  winter  without  any  injury,  leading  us  to 


494 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


the  conclusion  that  in  this  latitude,  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon  may 
be  considered  fairly  hardy,  but  "  slow  ;"  and  though  not  grow- 
ing with  much  rapidity,  and  occasionally  liable  to  lose  a  little 
in  the  winter  of  what  it  has  made  in  the  summer,  yet  on  the 
whole,  like  the  tortoise  in  the  fable,  we  believe  it  will  come  out 
first  in  the  end,  and  should  be  much  more  generally  planted. 

At  Washington,  Mr.  Saul  writes  us,  it  is  perfectly  hardy, 
specimens  in  the  Capitol  grounds  being  twelve  feet  high  ;  and 
at  Yorkville,  it  is  returned  as  hardy ;  but  at  Flushing  and  at 
Elizabethtown  its  reputation  is  a  little  qualified,  though  sup- 
posed to  become  hardy  as  it  advances.  At  Augusta,  Ga.,  it  is 
straggling  and  uncertain ;  and  in  Ohio,  both  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Columbus  and  Cincinnati,  it  is  very  much  injured  by 
severe  winters. 


Cephalotaxus.    The  Cluster-Flowered  Yews. 

This  fine  genus,  as  yet  very  new,  deriving  its  name  (Ks<pa\r\ 
— kephale — a  head,  and  Tocfig- — taxis — arrangement),  from  the 
flowers  and  fruit  growing  in  close,  globular  heads,  is  likely,  we 
think,  to  become  a  great  acquisition  in  this  country.  With  us 
it  has  proved  quite  as  hardy  as  the  Common  English  yew, 
and  although  like  that  plant,  the  foliage  is  much  finer  and 
darker  in  the  shade,  yet  we  have  had  no  difficulty,  for  the  past 
three  years,  in  growing  it  in  the  sun. 

The  only  varieties  as  yet  known  here,  we  think,  are : 

Cephalotaxus  Fortuni — mas.  and  femina — (Fortune's  Male 
and  Female  cephalotaxus),  found  by  Mr.  Fortune  in  the  north 
of  China,  particularly  in  the  province  Yang-Sin,  and  also  in 
Japan,  growing  from  forty  to  fifty  feet  high — the  foliage,  not 
unlike  that  of  the  torreya,  is  longer  and  wider  than  the  yew. 
With  us  the  male  plant  seems  the  most  hardy,  the  female  hav- 
ing suffered  somewhat  in  the  winter  of  1856-7. 

C.  drupacea — (The  Plum-fruited  cephalotaxus),  is  another 
fine  variety  which  has  proved  hardy  with  us.  It  resembles 
very  much  the  Irish  yew,  and  also  the  Taxus,  or  more  properly 
the  Podocarpus  Japonica.  Mr.  Carriere,  in  his  excellent  work 
on  Conifers,  makes  it  a  synonym  of  the  Female  cephalotaxus 
Fortuni,  but  our  plant  certainly  differs  much  from  this,  in  hav- 
ing both  darker  and  shorter  foliage ;  grows  about  20  feet  high. 
Cephalotaxus  pedunculata,  and  C.  umbraculifera,  are  the 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  495 


two  remaining  varieties  of  the  genus,  and  we  think,  are  likely 
to  prove  as  hardy  as  the  preceding  ones. 


Chamcecyparis.  The  White  Cedar. 
Chamcecyparis  sphceroida  variegata — sometimes  called  both 
Thuja  and  Cupressus  variegata — is,  beyond  doubt,  we  think,  a 
beautiful  golden  variety  of  the  White  cedar,  great  use  of  which 
is  made  in  England,  combined  with  the  Golden  and  Silver 
yews,  and  the  Golden  and  Variegated  arbor  vitas.  We  have 
had  it  out  but  one  winter,  but  we  see  no  reason  why  it  should 
not  prove  hardy.   

Cryptomeria.    The  Japan  Cedar. 

Cryptomeria. — (The  Japan  cedar)  ;  from  Kncptos,  hidden, 
and  Meris,  a  part. 

C.  Japonica. — This  exquisite  tree,  deservedly  called  the 
"  Queen  of  Evergreens,"  is  a  native  of  China,  growing  sixty 
to  one  hundred  feet  high.  It  was  discovered  in  1784,  by  Pro- 
fessor Thunbergh,  and  only  introduced  into  England  by  Mr. 
Fortune,  in  1844,  where  it  succeeds  perfectly  well  and  is 
the,  or  certainly  one  of  the  most  charming  of  the  newer  ever- 
greens. With  us,  in  the  Southern  States,  it  succeeds  admirably  ; 
but  farther  north  it  is  apt  to  suffer  from  our  severe  winters. 
At  Wodenethe  we  have  little  trouble  in  growing  it  in  a  wood, 
and  we  have  one  specimen,  which  we  are  in  the  habit  of  starv- 
ing in  very  poor  soil,  and  on  a  side  hill  quite  exposed  to  the 
strong  west  winds,  which  has  been  out  five  years  and  does  not 
even  brown.  This  tree  has  a  worse  habit  than  the  Deodar,  of 
growing  late  into  the  autumn.  Where  this  can  be  partially  pre- 
vented, by  thin,  light  soil,  especially  with  some  shade  from  a 
wood  or  buildings,  we  believe,  as  far  north  as  Fishkill,  it  can 
be  grown,  though,  perhaps,  never  to  develop  its  full  and  grace- 
ful beauties.  Near  Philadelphia,  at  Chestnut  Hill,  it  sometimes 
suffers,  though  last  winter  not  at  all ;  and  at  Laurel  Hill  it  has 
stood  for  several  severe  winters,  without  injury,  under  the  shade 
of  other  trees.  At  Newport,  it  is  tolerably  hardy,  there  being 
specimens  ten  feet  high.  Near  Boston,  the  roots  keep  alive, 
but  no  progress  is  made  in  the  tree.  At  Washington,  there  is 
a  specimen  in  La  Fayette  Square,  planted  by  Mr.  Downing 
in  1852,  and  never  protected,  which  has  reached  fourteen 


490 


LAND*       jS  GARDENING. 


feet,  and  is  very  beautiful.  At  Elizabethtown,  it  succeeds 
when  sheltered.  At  Flushing,  the  extremities  of  the  branches 
suffer  in  severe  winters,  and  at  Yorkville,  near  New  York, 
it  is  considered  hardy  under  favorable  circumstances,  as  also 
at  "  Woodlawn,"  N.  J.,  the  residence  of  Mr.  Field,  where 
there  are  specimens  twenty-nine  feet  in  circumference,  though 
not  proportionally  high.  In  Ohio,  it  is  killed  to  the  ground  in 
severe  winters.  This  is  another  of  those  evergreens,  which 
grown  in  tubs,  ten  to  fifteen  feet  high,  and  planted  (plunged) 
out  in  summer,  would  produce  most  agreeable  effects  in  orna- 
mental grounds,  with  no  care  in  winter  beyond  removing  it  to 
a  cellar  or  cool  green -house. 

C.  Japonica  viridis,  C.  Japonica  lobbii,  C.  Japonica  nana. — 
These  three  are  only  varieties  of  the  one  above  described,  and 
we  presume  no  more  hardy,  unless  it  be  Lobbii,  introduced 
from  the  Dutch  Botanic  gardens  at  Batavia.  C.  nana,  which 
is  a  mere  dwarf-bush,  always  seems  to  suffer  with  us  more  from 
the  sun  in  summer  than  the  cold  in  winter.  We  have  a  fourth 
variety,  received  from  France,  called  Pendula,  rather  more 
slender  and  pendulous  than  Japonica. 


CUNNINGHAMIA. 

Cunninghamia. — A  small  tree,  native  of  Japan  and  China, 
named  after  its  discoverer,  Mr.  Cunningham.  There  are  but 
two  varieties,  of  which  C.  Sinensis  or  C.  lanceolala,  is  the  one 
most  generally  cultivated  in  this  country.  In  its  general  char- 
acter and  appearance,  it  resembles  very  much  Araucaria  imbri- 
cata,  with  lance-like  leaves,  though  lighter  green.  With  us  it 
stands  generally  better  than  the  araucaria,  and  will  make  an 
admirable  substitute  for  this  tree,  if  it  should  prove  hardy. 

At  Baltimore,  we  have  seen  a  plant  six  or  eight  feet  high, 
and  apparently  quite  vigorous.  At  Newport,  it  is  also  regarded 
as  quite  hardy,  and  a  great  accession.  Specimens  there  are 
six  feet  high,  and  near  Natchez,  fifteen  to  eighteen  feet,  nearly 
half  its  full  size,  and  always  untouched  by  winter.  At  Flush- 
ing it  stands  about  as  well  as  the  cryptomeria,  and  will  proba- 
bly prove  about  as  reliable  as  this  tree  ;  as  yet  it  is  compara- 
tively new,  and  we  have  but  few  returns  about  it. 

C.  glauca,  the  remaining  variety,  differs  only  in  its  leaves 
being  silvery. 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  407 


Cupressus.    The  True  Cypress. 

This  fine  genus — not  mentioned  by  Mr.  Downing  in  the  early 
edition  of  his  work,  and  of  which  there  are  now  some  twenty 
varieties  known  and  cultivated  in  England — seems  peculiarly 
nnsuited  to  this  climate.  The  cypress  is  found  indigenous  in 
the  south  of  Europe,  China,  Mexico,  the  East  Indies,  and  a 
few  varieties,  erroneously  classed  among  our  cedars  and  junipers, 
in  this  country.  There  are  but  three  varieties  which  may  be 
considered  as  fairly  hardy,  and  as  some  of  these  are  better 
known  under  different  names,  we  may  say  there  is  not  one 
hardy  cypress,  distinctly  known  and  recognized  as  such,  that  is 
cultivated  in  the  northern  and  middle  portion  of  the  United 
States.  The  half-hardy  varieties,  such  as  attenuata,  excelsa, 
sempervirens,  Goveniana,  Lusitanica,  torulosa,  and  a  few  others, 
can  probably  never  be  cultivated,  unless  in  pots,  except  at  the 
extreme  south.    The  only  species  we  can  rely  upon  here  will  be  : 

C.  Nootkaensis  (the  Nootka  Sound  cypress),  but  better  known 
here  as  lliuiopsis  Borealis,  is  a  tall  ever- 

^ThuiopsisTchugatskoy.  Sreen  tree>  reaching  the  height  of  one  hun- 
dred feet,  with  widely  expanded  branches, 
very  flexible  ;  as  it  advances,  the  limbs  are  covered  with  small 
blisters,  which,  on  being  punctured,  emit  a  fine  aromatic  balsam, 
whence  is  derived  another  synonym,  abies  aromatica.  It  is  also 
found  in  Russia,  near  Lake  Tschondskoe.  It  is  but  yet  very 
new,  even  in  England ;  our  specimens  have  been  out  twro  win- 
ters and  are  perfectly  hardy,  as  it  will  probably  prove  to  be  in 
every  northern  part  of  the  United  States. 

C.  pendula. — There  are  three  Weeping  cypresses,  one  a 
synonym  of  Thvja  filiformis,  or  Biota  filiformis  (Weeping 
arbor  vitas),  which  we  have  already  described  as  very  beautiful 
and  perfectly  hardy  ;  a  second,  a  synonym  of  C.  torulosa,  a 
variety  of  which  we  have  mentioned  above  as  only  adapted 
for  the  extreme  southland  a  third,  a  synonym  of  C.  funebris. 

C.  funebris  (the  Weeping  or  Funebral  cypress),  is  another 
tree  like  the  Deodar  cedar  and  cryptomeria,  of  which  much  was 
expected,  but  little  obtained. 

It  was  first  noticed,  we  believe,  by  Lord  McCartney  in  his 
expedition  to  China,  who  described  it  as  having  the  appearance 
as  an  immense  evergreen  Weeping  Mallow,  but  it  was  only  in- 

*  Mr.  Buist  thinks  this  may  prove  hardy  near  Philadelphia. 

32 


498 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


troduced  into  England,  many  years  subsequently,  by  Mr.  For- 
tune, from  the  celebrated  tea  country  "  Wheychou,"  in  the 
north  of  China.  It  is  described  as  attaining  a  height  of  sixty 
feet,  with  horizontal  branches,  sweeping  upwards  with  its  grace- 
ful curves  and  dropping  again  at  the  points.  We  observe,  from 
our  returns,  it  has  been  tried  in  many  parts  of  the  United 
States,  but,  so  far,  has  only  succeeded  well  at  Augusta,  Ga., 
where  both  Messrs.  Berckmans  and  Mr.  Redmond  report  most 
favorably  as  to  its  hardihood ;  with  us  it  has  succeeded  but  in- 
differently, though  having  had  every  advantage  from  poor  soil 
and  a  protecting  wood.  Even  in  "Washington,  it  is  too  tender 
to  be  relied  on. 

C.  Lawsoniana  (Lawson's  cypress),  the  most  beautiful  of 
the  cypresses,  if  not  of  trees,  raised  from  seed  in  1857,  collected 
and  sent  to  England  by  Mr.  Murray.  It  grows  one  hundred 
feet  high,  and  is  found  along  the  banks  of  streams  and  in  the 
vallies  of  the  mountains  of  Northern  California,  in  latitude  40° 
to  42°. 

There  is  one  very  distinctive  characteristic  about  it,  which 
we  have  observed,  and  by  which  it  can  readily  be  recognized, 
the  drooping  of  the  leading  shoots  like  the  Deodar.  The  tops 
of  the  branches  hang  down  like  an  ostrich  feather.  It  is  said 
to  resemble  the  C.  Nutlcaensis  [Thuiopsis  Borealis),  described 
above,  but  our  plants  are  much  more  slender  and  graceful. 

We  have  strong  hopes  this  charming  evergreen  may  be 
acclimatized.  Our  trees  are  out  for  their  first  winter.  It 
is  also  on  trial  at  Cincinnati.  It  is  still  very  rare  and  ex- 
pensive ;  small  plants,  eight  to  ten  inches  high,  costing  a 
guinea. 


Dacrydium.  Dacrydium. 
A  very  rare  genus,  found  only  in  New  Zealand  and  the  East 
Indies,  and  so  tender  as  hardly  worth  while  being  mentioned, 
except  that  a  new  variety,  lately  introduced  into  England, 
promises  to  be  hardy  there,  and  may  consequently  be  in  certain 
parts  of  the  United  States.  This  variety,  D.  Franklinii  (Huon 
pine),  is  found  in  Van  Dieman's  Land,  and  becomes  a  tree  of 
one  hundred  feet  high,  thickly  covered  with  spray  ;  the  branches 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  499 

are  numerous,  dense,  long,  and  very  flexible  in  our  plants  (in 
pots)  like  whip-cords.  We  have  not  received  any  reports  of 
this  tree. 

D.  Cupressinum  (the  Cypress-like  dacrydium),  though  not 
hardy,  is  well  worthy  of  cultivation  in  pots.  It  is  exceedingly 
graceful  and  pretty,  with  slender,  delicate,  almost  thread-like, 
drooping  shoots,  thickly  clothed  with  small,  spiny  leaves.  A 
specimen  we  have,  about  eight  feet  high,  is  much  admired- 
There  are  several  other  varieties  for  the  conservatory. 


Fitz  Roya  Patagonia.    The  Patagonian  Fitz  Roya. 

A  large  evergreen  tree,  found  in  the  mountains  of  Patagonia 
growing  one  hundred  feet  high,  but  introduced  within  the  past 
three  years  into  England,  where  so  far  it  stands  well.  Our 
specimens  are  out  for  their  first  winter.  We  have  every  reason 
to  suppose  this  may  survive  our  climate ;  since  in  its  native 
country  it  diminishes  from  one  hundred  feet  in  the  valleys, 
to  only  a  few  inches  on  the  borders  of  perpetual  congelation. 


Glyptostrobus .    The  Embossed  Cypress. 

This  new  genus,  which  has  been  but  lately  introduced  under 
this  name  (derived  from  "  Glypho"  embossed,  and  " strobus"  a 
cone),  but  has  been  previously  by  some  botanists  regarded  as 
a  Taxodium  ;  is  a  native  of  China,  where  it  is  called  the  Water 
pine. 

The  only  variety  of  this  genus,  apparently  recognized  as  dis- 
tinct by  the  English,  is  G.  heterophyllus,  known  also  as  Thuja 
pensilis,  and  Taxodium  Japonicum ;  although  Endlicher  has 
another  and  very  beautiful  variety,  which  we  have  found  per- 
fectly hardy  at  Wodenethe,  more  so  even  than  G.  heterophyl- 
lus. This  is  the  Glyptostrobus  sinensis  pendidus,  which  is  also 
recognized  under  this  name  by  the  French  arboriculturists, 
though  in  the  English  Pinetums,  and  by  Gordon,  in  his  very 
excellent  work  on  Conifers,  it  is  classed  as  a  Taxodium ;  and 
we  have  imported  it  from  France  as  Glyptostrobus  sinensis  pen- 
dulus  ;  from  England,  as  Taxodium  sinense  pendulum  ;  while  in 


500 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


our  nurseries,  it  is  sold  as  the  Weeping  deciduous  cypress  ; 
and  we  think  it  is  generally  regarded  by  those  who  have  it  in 
this  country  (which  are  very  few),  as  identical  with  our  South- 
ern deciduous  or  Swamp  cypress,  and  only  a  pendulous  and 
more  delicate  variety  of  it ;  this  is  also  the  classification 
of  the  English.  Under  this  embarrassment,  we  sent  specimens 
of  the  three  varieties  to  that  distinguished  botanist,  Dr.  Gray,  who 
replied  that,  in  his  opinion,  "  the  Genus  Glyptostrobus  will  be 
adopted  as  distinct  from  Tazodium,  though  most  resembling 
it ;"  that  Glyptostrobus  s.  pendulus  and  Taxodium  s.  pendulum 
are  the  same  thing,  under  different  names ;  "  while  G.  hetero- 
phyllus  is  the  allied  species,  and  probably  not  distinct." 

The  Taxodium  pendulum  is  one  of  the  most  graceful  and 
exquisite  little  trees,  which  will  survive  the  rigor  of  our  north- 
ern winters.  With  us,  as  before  stated,  it  is  untouched  by  the 
severest  weather. 

The  resemblance  to  the  Southern  deciduous  or  Swamp  cy- 
press, which  has  led  to  its  being  confounded  with  this  variety 
is  chiefly  in  the  autumn,  when  the  leaves  are  expanded  and 
spread  out  very  much  like  it ;  but  in  the  earlier  spring  months, 
they  are  twisted  and  compressed  around  the  stem,  having  a 
very  peculiar  wavy  and  curled  appearance. 

At  Newport,  in  New  Jersey,  and  at  Flushing,  this  tree  is 
returned  as  hardy  and  very  superb. 


Juniperus.    The  Juniper. 

Of  this  large  and  important  family  of  plants,  J.  Virginiana, 
commonly  called  the  Red  Cedar,  was  the  only  variety  men- 
tioned by  Mr.  Downing.  The  name  itself  is  derived  from  the 
Celtic  word  Juneprus,  meaning  rough  or  rude,  from  the  stiff 
character  of  the  plants,  or  from  Juniores  pariens,  the  old  and 
young  leaves  and  berries  being  on  the  plant  at  the  same  time. 
There  are  some  twenty-six  to  thirty  varieties  known  and  cul- 
tivated in  Europe,  of  which  nineteen  or  twenty  have  reached 
the  collections  in  this  country. 

Of  these,  alphabetically,  the  first  on  the  list  is  J.  Bed- 
fordiana,  a  slender  variety   of  J.    Virginiana,  found  on 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  501 


the  island  of  Barbadoes,  and  the  Windward  Islands,  and 
Syn.  erroneously  cultivated  by  these  three  names, 

J.  Barbadensis.        hy  each  of    which  we  have  it.    We  ob- 

J.  Gossainthania.  „  ,         ,  .  , 

serve  from  our  returns,  that  this  tree,  under 
these  three  names,  is  also  pretty  generally  cultivated  at 
the  principal  nurseries  in  this  country;  and  while  J.  Gossain- 
thania is  generally  considered  perfectly  hardy,  and  J.  Bed- 
fordiana  nearly  as  much  so  at  Newport,  Washington,  and 
New  Jersey,  J.  Barbadensis  is  reported  as  tender  in  the  one 
or  two  places  where  tried,  from  which,  it  is  evident,  there  is 
some  confusion  in  the  synonym.  It  is  a  pretty,  graceful,  slender 
tree,  with  drooping  branches ;  when  fully  grown,  some  fifty  feet 
high. 

J.  Californica  (Californian  juniper). — Is  an  extremely  pretty, 
delicate  variety  from  California,  with  glaucous  leaves,  attaining 
an  altitude,  in  its  native  country,  of  forty  feet.  We  received 
this  variety  from  Messrs.  Ellwanger  &  Barry  two  years  since, 
and  have  not  yet  ventured  it  out.  It  is  more  rare  in  England 
than  here,  being  classed  among  those  of  which  little  is  known. 

J.  Canadensis  (Canadian  or  Common  juniper). — This  well 
Syn.  known  species  in  our  Northern  States,  and  the 

J.  depressa.  northern  parts  of  North  America,  Labrador,  New- 
foundland, &c,  is  merely  a  bush,  with  a  loose  open 
head,  from  three  to  five  feet  high.  It  is  sometimes  confounded 
with  the  Dwarf  juniper  of  Europe,  but  has  a  smaller  and 
lighter  foliage,  with  rather  more  of  an  upright  tendency  ;  per- 
fectly hardy. 

J.  Chinensis  (Chinese  juniper). — A  very  great  acquisition, 
SynM  from  China  and  Japan,  perfectly  hardy  with  us 

j.  Thumbergii.  jn  tne  most  severe  winters,  and  a  most  beautiful 
variety.  It  is  dioecious,  the  male  plant  being 
distinguished  with  male  flowers  of  a  bright  yellow  color  in 
the  spring,  and  very  showy  when  fully  grown,  attaining  a 
height  of  fifteen  to  twenty  feet.  The  female  variety,  known 
and  sold  also  as  J.  Beevesiana,  and  J.  flagelleformis,  is  rather 
smaller  than  the  male  ;  berries  small,  of  a  glaucous  violet  brown 
when  ripe.  We  strongly  recommend  these  trees,  especially 
the  male,  as  being  perhaps,  the  finest  of  the  really  hardy 
junipers. 


502 


landscapp:  gardening. 


J",  communis  (Common  juniper). — This  plant,  which  is  the 
jSyn.  ordinary  juniper  of  Europe,  is  not  the  same  as 

J.  Oacovia.      tne  J.  communis,  or  Canadensis  of  this  country. 

It  is  found  generally  on  the  Continent,  and  in 
England,  a  loose,  spreading  tree  or  bush,  of  twelve  to  eighteen 
feet  high  ;  while  on  tops  of  mountains  it  becomes  a  straggling 
shrub.  There  are  three  varieties  of  the  common  European  or 
English  juniper,  all  well  known,  and  cultivated  in  the  United 
States,  viz. : 

J.  communis  Suecica  (Swedish  juniper). — A  native  of  Nor- 
way, Denmark,  Sweden,  and  Russia,  a  conical,  upright  growing 
bush,  of  from  twelve  to  twenty  feet,  very  hardy,  we  believe,  in 
every  part  of  the  country. 

J.  communis  Hibernica  (Irish  juniper). — A  neat,  pretty, 
slender  variety,  found  on  the  mountains  of  Ireland,  more 
upright  and  delicate  than  the  Swedish,  though  resembling  it. 
It  sometimes  suffers  with  us  from  the  sun  in  midsummer,  but 
rarely  from  the  cold,  and  this  we  see  by  our  returns,  is  its 
character  generally. 

J.  communis  compressa — which  we  imported  some  years 
since,  as  Hispanica,  or  Spanish  juniper — seems  quite  as  hardy 
with  us  as  either  of  the  other  varieties,  being  compact  and  close 
in  its  habit,  but  with  a  less  vivid  green ;  it  comes  from  the 
Apennines.  There  is  another  Spanish  juniper,  called  J.  thu- 
ripera,  from  the  mountains  of  Spain,  forming  a  dense,  handsome, 
pyramidal  tree,  tapering  to  a  point,  and  growing  to  the  height 
of  thirty  feet,  which  we  also  find  entirely  hardy. 

J.  Japonica  (Japan  juniper) — is  a  small,  hardy,  bush  from 
Syn.  the  mountains  of  Japan,  not  growing  over 

Cbinensis  procumbens.  _         .  it- 

one  or  two  feet  high,  and  distinct. 
nana  (the  Dwarf  juniper). — Common  all  over  Europe, 
Syn-  England,  Scotland  ;  seldom  growing  over  one  foot 

j.  Aipina,      high,  but  spreading.    It  is  so  often  taken  for  J. 
J  and* "St     Canadensis  of  this  country,  as  to  be  constantly  con- 
others,       founded  and  grown  for  it. 

J.  oblunga  pendula  (Weeping  juniper) — unquestionably  the 
Syn.  most  attractive  of  the  junipers  ;  a  small  tree 

j.  pendula  vera,  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  high,  from  the  Hakone 
ridge  of  mountains  in  the  island  of  Niphon  in  Japan ;  perfectly 


THE  NEWEK  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  50,3 


hardy  with  us,  and  the  most  graceful  and  pendulous  of  ever- 
greens. Our  best  specimen  (Fig.  93)  has  been  planted  ten 
years — it  is  nearly  six  feet  high,  though  only  a  few  inches 
when  set  out.  We  find  it  transplants  badly  and  recovers  slowly, 
and  when  necessary  to  be  moved,  should  be  balled  in  winter,  or 
moved  with  greatest  care.  It  takes  several  years  to  get  under 
way,  and  often  dies  back  from  sun,  but,  when  once  started,  suc- 
ceeds admirably. 

J.  occidentalis  (Western  juniper). — We  doubt  very  much  if 
Syn.  the  variety  is,  in  this  country,  correct,  at  any  rate  we 

J.  exceisa.  }iave  no  returns  about  it ;  and  if  here  at  all  it  may  . 
be  under  its  synonym  of  exceisa,  with  which  it,  and  many  other 
junipers,  are  frequently  confounded.  It  is  found,  at  an  eleva- 
tion of  five  thousand  feet,  on  the  Klamet  mountains  in  Oregon, 
and  also  on  the  Rocky  mountains,  where  it  becomes  an  um- 
brella-shaped tree  of  forty  feet,  with'  a  pretty  silver  bloom  ;  it 
will,  no  doubt  prove  quite  hardy  here. 

J.  oxycedrus  (Prickly  juniper). — This  variety  is  reported  as 
Syn.  hardy  in  Jersey.    Our  plants  are  out  for  the 

J.  monspeiiensium.  first  winter,  and  we  cannot,  therefore,  report 
upon  them  now.  It  is  found  on  the  Apennines,  at  an  elevation 
of  three  thousand  feet,  in  France,  also  in  Spain,  and  Por- 
tugal. Our  specimens  are  attractive  from  being  more  or  less 
glaucous  on  both  sides  of  their  leaves ;  the  branches  are  angu- 
lar and  rather  pendant ;  it  grows  eight  to  ten  feet  high,  and  its 
berries  are  used  in  flavoring  gin. 

J.  Phoenicia  (Phoenician  juniper). — This  species,  forming  a 
bush  of  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  in  height,  of  a  beautiful  pyramidal 
shape,  is  found  on  the  rocks  along  the  shores  of  the  Mediter- 
ranean, near  Nice  and  Calabria.  We  have  favorable  reports 
of  its  hardihood  from  New  Jersey  ;  we  have  not  tried  it.  There 
is  another  variety,  J.  P.  Lycia  (Lycian  juniper),  a  much  smaller 
bush  than  the  preceding,  and  greener  foliage,  originating  in  the 
Levant,  but  also  found,  according  to  Prof.  Pallas,  in  Siberia — 
it  having  been  introduced  in  the  Russian  gardens  as  juniper  us 
davurica.  This  is  the  juniper  from  which  the  gum  called 
olibanum  is  collected,  so  much  used  for  incense  in  religious 
ceremonies  on  the  Continent.  This,  no  doubt,  will  prove  hardy 
in  the  United  States. 


504 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


J.  prostrata  (Prostrate-branch  juniper). — This  interesting 

Syn  species,  so  well  known  all  over  the  Middle  and 

J.  repens,  Northern  States,  need  hardly  be  described  ; 

j.  humihs,  yritfo  us  it  is  a  common  road-side  plant,  and 

J.  sabina  prostrata.  _  r  ' 

very  much  neglected  in  consequence.  We  do 
not  really  know  a  finer  object  than  this  juniper,  well  grown  in 
ornamental  grounds  where  it  has  ample  space  to  develop  itself 
There  are  two  specimens  at  Mr.  Field's  in  Princeton,  truly 
superb,  resembling  immense  great  evergreen  beds,  not  over 
two  feet  high,  but  thirty  feet  in  circumference. 

J.  recurva  (Weeping  Indian  juniper). — This  is  certainly  a 
Syn.  very  charming  variety,  and  we  wish  we  could  say 

J.  Nepaiensis.  jt  js  perfectly  hardy  ;  with  us,  heretofore,  in  the 
winter,  it  becomes  very  shabby  and  dingy,  having  much  the 
clouded  look  produced  by  the  web  of  the  red  spider  ;  this,  how- 
ever, is  where  it  has  been  exposed  to  the  winter's  sun.  We 
have  now  some  specimens  planted  in  a  wood,  and  well  pro- 
tected, which  we  hope  may  do  better. 

Mr.  Hogg  writes  us  that  at  Yorkville,  when  sheltered,  it  may 
be  regarded  as  hardy  ;  and  this  is  reported  also  from  Flushing, 
L.  I.,  and  in  New  Jersey  ;  at  Washington  it  did  well  until  in 
jured  by  the  winter  of  1855-6.  The  only  unqualified  return  of 
entire  success  is  from  Augusta,  Ga.,  where  it  is  grown  without 
trouble.  J.  recurva  densa  is  the  male  form  of  this  variety  ;  with 
us,  the  male  is  more  dwarf,  and  of  much  closer  and  thicker 
habit.  The  plant  itself  originates  in  Nepaul  and  in  Bhotan,  at 
an  elevation  of  eight  to  ten  thousand  feet,  where  it  makes  a 
small  and  beautiful  tree ;  at  greater  elevation  it  becomes  a 
straggling  bush. 

J.  religiosa  (the  Pencil  or  Incense  juniper).    We  believe 

there  is  no  question  of  the  hardihood  of  this 
Syn.  m  1 

j.  exceisa.  juniper ;  although  no  Indian  conifer  seems  to 

[Perhaps  the  tali      ^ave  ]jeen  more  confused  than  this  specie8 

Juniper  of  the 

American  nur-  We  presume,  however,  that  the  J.  exceisa  (the 
series-l  Tall  juniper)  of  our  American  nurseries  is 

not  properly  the  J.  exceisa  of  the  Indian  botanists,  which  is  the 
true  J.  religiosa.  The  first  is  undoubtedly  hardy,  becoming  a 
handsome,  pyramidal  tree,  thirty  to  forty  feet  high;  a  native  of 
the  islands  in  the  Grecian  Archipelago,  Syria,  Armenia,  and 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  505 


Georgia;  the  second  is  quite  hardy  with  us;  and  we  have  no 
report  from  any  other  place.  It  resembles  very  much  the 
Chinese  Juniper,  and  it  is  often  confounded  with  Cupressus 
torulosa.  It  obtains  its  name  from  its  wood  being  burned  in 
temples  on  festivals,  and  also  from  being  used  in  cedar  pencils. 

It  is  a  native  of  Nepaul,  where  it  rarely  descends  below  an 
altitude  of  ten  thousand  feet ;  above  an  elevation  of  fifteen 
thousand  feet,  it  degenerates  into  a  scraggy  bush ;  while  in 
favorable  situations,  it  forms  a  large,  magnificent  tree  of  sixty 
to  eighty  feet.  It  gets  its  name  of  religiosa  from  being  usually 
employed  for  the  Buddhist  temples,  and  in  their  religious 
ceremonies. 

J.  sapina  (the  Common  savin),  a  low,  loose-growing  bush, 
not,  as  it  strikes  us,  particularly  handsome,  growing  six  or 
seven  feet  high,  and  native  of  the  Lower  Alps,  Appenines,  and 
the  Altain  and  Taurian  mountains.  There  is  another  and 
prettier  variety,  J.  s.  variegatce  (Variegated  savin),  with  its 
leaves  curiously  striped  or  blotched  with  yellow,  and  inter- 
mingling with  the  green,  making  a  striking  contrast.  We 
have  grown  these  many  years  without  any  protection. 

J.  squamata  (Scaly-leaved  juniper),  a  large,  procumbent, 
many  branched  shrub,  growing  four  or  five 
SVt' a        -|-    -  feet  high,  and  very  spreading,  from  the 

J.  dumosa  Lambertina.  °  '  J      r  °7 

mountains  of  Nepaul  and  the  Bhotan  Alps, 
also  in  Cashmere.  It  seems  to  thrive  on  the  loftiest  mountains 
at  elevations  of  eleven,  twelve,  and  even  fifteen  thousand  feet, 
forming  extensive  beds  or  masses  like  carpets,  covering  im- 
mense spaces ;  the  foliage  is  a  bright,  vivid  green,  and  large 
glossy,  purplish  black  fruit. 

The  finest  specimen  we  know  in  this  country,  and  one  of 
the  most  extraordinary  and  striking  objects  we  ever  saw  among 
evergreens,  is  the  J.  squamata,  at  Woodlawn,  N.  J.,  Mr. 
Field's  (Fig.  94),  which  was  obtained  from  Mr.  Buist,  in  Phi- 
ladelphia, in  the  spring  of  1851  ;  and  though  only  seven  years 
planted,  is  now  a  bush  of  twenty-nine  feet  in  circumference, 
having  one  leading  shoot  which,  after  ascending  perpendicu- 
larly four  and  a  half  to  five  feet,  as  suddenly  descends  again 
at  an  acute  angle  to  the  ground,  resembling  somewhat  an 
elongated  ox -bow,  the  lower  branches  radiating  from  the  stem, 


506 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


and  spreading  in  every  direction  with  a  marvellous  profusion 
into  a  perfect  circle.  It  is  unquestionably  hardy  all  over  the 
colder  portion,  at  least,  of  the  United  States. 


Pseudo-larix  koemferi.    Golden  or  Chinese  Larch. 

This  properly  belongs  to  the  deciduous  class  of  trees  ;  though 
when  first  sent  to  England  by  Mr.  Fortune, 
svn-  it  was  supposed  to  be  a  fir,  and  Mr.  Lambert 

Abies  koemferi.  .         .,  .  .  T   .  ... 

Pinus     do.  classed  it  among  the  pines.    It  is  still  very 

rare  and  very  expensive ;  plants  only  two 
inches  high  costing  seven  dollars  in  England.  We  know  of  but 
one  other  specimen  in  this  country,  besides  our  own,  which  was 
too  small  to  venture  out  this  winter,  though  we  intend  doing  so 
next.  It  will,  no  doubt,  prove  hardy,  coming  as  it  does  from 
the  northern  provinces  of  China.  The  leaves  are  a  beautiful 
bright  green,  when  young,  but  before  autumn  assume  a  fine 
golden  yellow.  There  being  no  specimens  in  England  over  a 
foot  high,  we  have  no  further  description  of  this  tree. 


Libocedrus.    Incense  Cedar. 

This  exquisite  genus  (for  all  the  varieties  are  alike  beautiful) 
is  another  of  Mr.  Endlicher's  introductions  from  Chili  and  New 
Zealand.  The  name  is  derived  from  libanos,  incense,  and 
cedrus,  the  cedar.  It  is  found  upon  the  Andes  of  Chili,  where 
tt  grows  to  the  height  of  sixty  to  eighty  feet,  and  bears  so  close 
a  resemblance  to  the  arbor'*  vitae,  as,  by  many,  to  be  classed  with 
this  tree,  having  the  same  pyramidal  habit,  thickly  clothed  with 
beautifully  delicate,  glaucous  and  light  green  imbricated  leaves 
from  its  very  base. 

There  are  but  four  varieties,  three  of  which  have  been  im- 
ported, by  collectors  of  evergreens,  into  this  country,  viz. : 
Chilie?isis,  Doniana  and  decurrens,  of  which  the  first  and  last 
only  approach  to  some  hope  of  being  acclimatized. 

L.  Chilunsis,  we  have  had  several  years.  Our  oldest  plant 
survived  three  winters  on  an  open  lawn,  protected  simply  by 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  507 


cedar  boughs,  but  was  destroyed  by  the  severe  weather  of  '55-6. 
At  Elizabethtown,  N.  J.,  there  are  specimens  five  feet  high, 
and,  it  is  reported  to  us,  as  nearly  hardy  there.  At  Washington, 
and  on  Long  Island  it  has  not  been  sufficiently  tested  to  be 
pronounced  upon.  The  only  unqualified  return  of  entire  suc- 
cess is  from  Augusta,  Ga.,  where  it  stands  admirably  and 
becomes  one  of  their  most  lovely  evergreens. 

L.  Doniana  (Don's  arbor  vitae) — even  more  than  the  pre- 
ceding resembles  an  arbor  vitae,  and  is  more 
^Thuja  Doniana.  generally  known  and  sold  as  a  Thuja  than  a 
Libocedrus ;  it  has  the  appearance  of  a  most 
exquisite  fern,  being  of  a  peculiarly  soft  yellowish  green,  and 
most  delicate  habit.  There  is  no  hope,  we  fear,  of  acclimatizing 
this  beautiful  variety,  except,  perhaps,  in  the  Southern  States  ; 
but  nothing  can  well  be  prettier  or  more  attractive  than  this 
and  the  preceding  variety  (X.  Chiliensis),  grown  in  pots  or  tubs. 

L.  decurrens,  the  third  and  last  variety,  being  more  properly 
an  arbor  vitae,  has  been  removed  to  that  genus,  we  shall  there- 
fore describe  it  under  its  appropriate  head  of  Thuja. 


Picea.    The  Silver  Fir. 

In  contradistinction  to  Abies,  the  Spruce  fir.is  derived  from 
pix  (pitch) — this  variety  producing  an  abundance  of  resin,  and 
having  theircones  erect  and  nearly  cylindrical,  while  the  cones 
of  the  Abies  (Spruce  fir)  are  pendand  and  persistent  for  a  long 
time.  They  are  found  in  Europe,  Asia,  and  North  America 
and  are,  we  believe,  without  exception  perfectly  hardy  in  the 
middle  and  northern  portions  of  the  United  States,  and  a  very 
great  addition  to  our  ornamental  evergreens. 

P.  amabilis  (the  lovely  Silver  fir)  —  one  of  the  latest  addi- 
tions to  this  tribe  of  plants,  still  rare  and  very 
8y^\  .  costly.    There  are  no  plants  of  any  size  in 

P.  lasiocarpa.  J  r  .  J 

Pinus  lasiocarpa.     his  country.    It  stands  well  at  Beach  ClyfFe, 
the  residence  of  Mr.  Kane,  at  Newport,  and 
also  at  Flushing,  and  we  presume  it  may  prove  hardy  at  Boston. 
It  is  a  magnificent  tree  in  its  native  forests  on  the  mountains 
of  Northern  California,  reaching  an  altitude  of  two  hundred 


508 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


and  fifty  feet,  with  a  naked  stem  of  sixty  feet.  It  was  discov- 
ered by  Mr.  Jeffrey. 

P.  balsamca  (the  Balm  of  Gilead  fir),  has  already  been  des- 
cribed in  the  early  edition  of  this  work,  and  is  too  well  known 
as  the  common  Balsam  fir  of  the  country  to  require  further 
remarks. 

P.  balsamea  longifolia,  is  a  much  finer  and  equally  hardy 
variety,  with  longer  leaves,  introduced  from  Booth's  nursery,  at 
Hamburgh. 

P.  balsamea  variegata — A  variegated  variety  of  our  Com- 
mon balsam — pretty  and  hardy — the  new  growth  being  yellow  ; 
though  attractive  in  the  spring,  yet  when  the  new  shoots  become 
ripened,  the  bright  yellow  becomes  a  little  dingy,  and  we  should 
hardly  give  it  a  prominent  place  in  plantations.  We  have  also 
a  variety  with  a  silvery  instead  of  a  golden  variegation. 

P.  Bracteata  (Leafy-bracted  Silver  fir). — This  is  a  very  rare 
variety  as  yet  in  this  country,  and  will  probably 

^Abies  Bracteata.  Prove  as  har(ty  as  P-  Webbiana,  and,  like  it,  be 
apt  to  lose  its  leader.  It  was  discovered  by 
Douglas  on  the  mountains  of  Columbia  river,  and  afterwards 
in  Upper  California.  It  is  a  tall,  slender-growing  tree,  one 
hundred  and  twenty  fe'et  high,  straight  as  an  arrow,  and  only 
two  or  three  feet  in  diameter  ;  sometimes  only  the  upper  third 
of  the  tree  is  clothed  with  branches. 

P.  Cephalonica  (Mount  Enos  fir). — This  is  perhaps  one  of 
the  finest  and  most  reliable  of  the  new  Silver  firs.  We  have 
specimens  eight  and  ten  feet  high,  perfectly  untouched  by  the 
remarkable  winters  of  1855-6,  and  without  any  advantages 
of  position  or  protection. 

It  is  called  the  Wild  cedar  by  the  Greeks,  and  was  first  sent 
home  by  General  Napier,  when  Governor  of  Cephalonia.  It 
has  since  been  discovered  on  the  different  mountains  of  Greece, 
on  the  Sacred  Apollo,  on  Mount  Parnassus,  on  Mount  iEtna,  and 
also  on  Mount  Olympus ;  it  has,  consequently,  among  its  other 
merits,  at  least  that  of  having  early  classical  associations.  A 
full  grown  tree  is  about  sixty  feet  high. 

P.  Fraaeri  (Fraser's  Silver  fir)  — A  variety  probably  of  our 
Syn  common  Balsam  fir,  a  little  lighter,  we  think,  in 

Pinns  Fraseri.  color ;  supposed  to  have  originated  in  the  raoun- 
Abies    do.       tains  of  Carolina  and  Pennsylvania.  Neither 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  509 


Carriere  nor  Gordon  seem  to  place  it  anywhere  else ; 
though  we  have  trees  sent  to  us  from  Vermont,  by  President 
Wheeler,  of  Burlington,  which  he  thinks  identical  with  the 
southern  variety ;  and  we  must  confess  we  quite  coincide  with 
him,  though  they  may  prove  some  sport  of  our  ordinary  double 
spruce.    At  any  rate,  both  varieties  are  as  hardy  as  possible. 

P.  Fraseri  Hudsonica  (Hudson  Bay  Silver  fir). — A  pretty, 
fiattish  Dwarf  variety  of  P.  Fraseri,  forming  a  dense  close 
bush,  never  over  three  or  four  feet  high,  and,  of  course,  a  per- 
fectly hardy  tree,  coming,  as  it  does,  from  the  Hudson  Bay 
Company's  territories. 

P.  nobilis  (Noble  Silver  fir). — This  superb  variety  well  de- 
syn.  serves  its  name,  reaching  as  it  does  an  altitude  of  two 

Pinus  nobilis.  hundred  feet,  with  regularly  horizontal  and  spreading 
branches,  and  cinnamon-colored  bark,  forming  im- 
mense forests  upon  the  mountains  of  California.  It  was  a  dis- 
covery of  Mr.  Jeffrey,  and  proves  unquestionably  hardy  wher- 
ever it  has  been  tried.  We  have  had  it  five  or  six  years ;  but 
our  trees  being  raised  from  seed,  instead  of  being  grafted,  were 
very  small  (three  inches  only)  when  planted,  and  are  not  over 
two  to  three  feet  high  now  ;  and  though  fine  in  color  and  habit, 
do  not  yet  show  that  grand  characteristic  which  induced 
Mr.  Downing,  when  in  England,  to  describe  it  as  the  most  ma- 
jestic of  evergreens.  At  Elvastan  Castle,  there  are  speci- 
mens, says  Mr.  Buist  (in  his  account  of  his  visit  to  that 
remarkable  place),  finer  than  the  Araucaria  excelsa  (the  Nor- 
folk Island  pine).  It  is  perfectly  hardy  near  Boston,  at  Flushing, 
New  York,  Baltimore,  &c. ;  and  will  prove  equally  so  in  all 
the  middle  portions,  at  least,  of  the  United  States. 

P.  Nordmanniana  (Nordmann's  Silver  fir). — Another  superb 
gyn,  Silver  fir,  quite*  as  hardy  as  the  preceding, 

Abies  Nordmanniana.  an(j  as  fine .  indeed,  we  think  even  finer, 
when  young.  We  have  had  it  at  Woden- 
ethe  four  or  five  years,  and  it  has  never  suffered  in  our  severest 
winters.  It  comes  from  the  mountains  of  the  Crimea,  and 
reaches  a  growth  of  one  hundred  feet. 

P.  pectinata  (Common  Silver  fir). — A  lofty  tree,  growing 
one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  high,  found  all  over 
the  Alps,  and  also  on  the  Apennines  and  Pyrenees  ;  and  yet, 


510 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


strange  to  say,  it  is  somewhat  capricious  in  the  United  States, 
and  among  our  returns,  we  find  in  many  places  it  is  apt  to  lose 
its  leader.  This  we  believe,  however,  only  takes  place  in 
young,  and  consequently  succulent  plants,  which,  as  they 
advance  in  age,  acquire  a  habit  of  solidifying,  as  it  were,  their 
growth,  and  escape  injury.  We  have  specimens  fifteen  to 
eighteen  feet  high,  which  are  very  perfect,  and  never  suffer. 
The  finest  specimen  we  know  in  the  country  is  one  near 
Germantown,  Pa.  (Fig.  37.) 

P.  pectinata  pendula  (Weeping  Silver  fir) — Is  a  dis- 
tinct and  very  rare  variety  of  the  Common  Silver  fir,  which 
we  had  for  many  years — perfectly  hardy,  with  peculiarly  droop- 
ing branches.    It  is  of  French  origin,  we  believe. 

P.  pectinata  variegata  (Variegated  Silver  fir) — Is  very 
similar  (though  distinct)  to  the  P.  Fraseri  variegata  ;  hardy. 

P.  pectinata  nana  (Dwarf  Silver  fir) — A.  pretty  little  shrub, 
quite  hardy,  and  only  growing  two  or  three  feet  high. 

P.  grandis  (Great  Silver  fir). — Another  of  the  grand  dis- 
coveries of  Mr.  Jeffrey,  on  Fraser's  River — a  superb  tree, 
growing  to  the  height  of  two  hundred  and  eighty  feet,  and 
resembling  in  its  character  and  habits  the  Common  Silver  fir, 
but  much  finer  and  more  gigantic.  Our  specimens  are  only 
eight  to  ten  inches  high,  and  we  do  not  know  of  any  others  in 
the  country  any  or  much  larger ;  and  although  from  its  des- 
cription we  have  every  reason  to  suppose  it  will  prove  hardy, 
still  we  have  no  authority  for  saying  so.  The  tree  is  still  too 
young  and  costly  (two  guineas  each),  to  make  the  attempt 
quite  yet.  The  only  report  of  it  is  from  Washington,  where 
there  are  plants  in  Mr.  Corcoran's  grounds,  two  feet  high,  per- 
fectly hardy. 

P.  pichta  (Pitch  or  Siberian  Silver  fir). — Although  this  tree 
Syn>  does  not  become  so  majestic  as  the  preceding, 

p.  Siberica.  vet  it  is  a  remarkably  fine  variety,  and  well 
worthy  extensive  cultivation.  'It  is  perfectly  hardy,  and  has  a 
superb  luxuriant  growth,  which  is  most  refreshing.  It  is  not 
very  unlike  a  very  fine  Balsam  fir,  Though  much  denser,  softer, 
and  deeper  foliage.  It  is  found  in  the  mountains  of  Siberia 
and  Altai,  and  rarely  exceeds  twenty-five  to  thirty  feet.  There 


THft  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  511 


is  another  variety,  with  longer  and  more  glaucous  leaves,  called 
P.  longifolia. 

P.  Pindrow  (Upright  Indian  Silver  fir)— A  fine  tree,  grow- 
&yn-  ing  from  eighty  to  one  hundred  feet,  and 

Abies  "Webbiana.  «       i  n  t» 

Taxus  Lambertiana.  found  on  the  mountains  or  Isootan,  at  an 
elevation  of  eleven  to  twelve  thousand  feet.  In  this  country, 
this  variety  has  been  constantly  confounded  with  P.  Webbiana, 
which  it  so  closely  resembles  as  to  require  the  nicest  scrutiny 
to  detect  the  difference.  It  also,  like  the  Webbiana,  suffers 
from  losing  its  leader,  and  on  this  account,  even  in  England,  it 
is  recommended  to  be  planted  on  the  north  of  woods  or  build- 
ings; with  this  protection  it  may  be  classed  as  tolerably 
hardy. 

P.  Pinsapo  (Pinsapo  fir). — This  is  a  Spanish  fir,  very  dis- 
Syn^  tinctive,  and  perfectly  hardy  everywhere,  as 

Abies  Pinsapo.  far  as  tried.  Our  best  specimen  is  ten  feet 
high,  and  exceedingly  fine,  being  as  regular 
and  symmetrical  as  the  Balsam  fir.  Its  greatest  altitude 
is  seventy  to  eighty  feet.  It  is  found  in  Spain,  on  the  moun- 
tains between  Ronda  and  Malaga ;  also  in  Granada,  and  on  the 
highest  parts  of  the  Sierra  de  la  Nieve — even  near  the  summits, 
where  snow  lies  at  least  five  months  in  the  year. 

P.  Webbiana  (Webb's  Indian  fir) — A  superb  tree,  growing 
^  from  seventy  to  eighty  feet  high  ;  discovered  on 

Abies  spectabiiis.  the  Himmalayas  above  an  elevation  of  ten  thou- 
A.  densa.  sand,  ancl  j)r  Hooker  found  it  in  Sikkin  at  an 

Pinus  striata,  etc. 

elevation  of  thirteen  thousand  feet.  A  beauti- 
ful dye  of  an  exquisite  violet  tint  is  extracted  from  the  cones, 
whence  the  name  by  which  it  is  known  in  this  country,  "Webb's 
Purple  coned  fir  :"  like  P.  Pindrow,  it  suffers  in  its  leader,  if  ex- 
posed, but  does  pretty  well  in  a  wood. 


Pinus.  The  Pine. 
Of  this,  the  largest  and  most  important  family  of  evergreens, 
there  are,  at  present,  known  and  cultivated  in  England  and  in 
collections  on  the  Continent,  about  sixty  varieties  ;  twenty-four 
of  which  have  proved  hardy  in  the  United  States,  or,  at  least, 
in  our  portion  of  it  on  the  Hudson  River  — and  there  are  a  few 


I 


512  LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 

more,  besides,  which  may  possibly  become  acclimatized  in  a 
few  years.  Six  of  these  have  already  been  described  by  Mr. 
Downing,  in  his  early  editions,  leaving  a  gain  of  eighteen  new 
varieties — a  great  many  for  so  valuable  a  genus,  and  in  so  short 
a  time  as  ten  years. 

In  our  Southern  States,  the  whole  sixty  varieties  now  known 
abroad,  could  undoubtedly  be  grown  with  entire  success;  we 
therefore  propose,  in  describing  the  twenty-four  varieties  which 
we  have  ourselves  tested,  to  give  some  brief  mention  of  the 
most  prominent  and  desirable  of  the  others,  which  at  the  North 
can  only  be  cultivated  in  tubs,  and  kept  in  green-houses  during 
the  winter. 

P.  australis  (Southern  pine). — This  superb  tree,  more  com- 
monly  known  as  the  Georgia  pine,  is  found  from 
P.  Paiustris,     Virginia  to  Georgia,  growing  to  the  height  of 
p.  Georgica.     sixty  to  seventy  feet,  with  a  bright  green  foliage* 
nearly  a  foot  long  in  young  plants.    We  have  great  hope  that 
this  tree  may  be  acclimatized  here.    In  Philadelphia,  Mr. 
Buist  regards  it  as  hardy  ;  at  Elizabethtown  it  succeeds  when 
sheltered  by  evergreens,  there  being  specimens  there  six  feet 
high.    There  is  another  variety,  with  much  longer  leaves,  and 
said  to  be  much  hardier,  withstanding  the  coldest  weather  in 
Germany,  and  coming  from  the  northwest  coast  of  America, 
which  would,  no  doubt,  prove  entirely  hardy,  since  it  was 
raised,  as  we  believe,  from  seed  in  Messrs.  Booths'  nurseries 
at  Hamburgh,  where  we  remember  we  were  informed  peach 
trees  would  not  stand. 

P.  Apulcensis  (Apulco  pine). — This  variety,  from  the  val- 
lies  of  Mexico,  is  likely  to  prove  too  tender  for  any  but  our 
Southern  States  ;  it  reaches  a  height  of  forty  to  fifty  feet. 

P.  Ayacahnite  (Ayacahnite  pine). — This  pretty  and  effec- 
tive pine,  with  a  soft,  vivid  foliage,  has  been  out  with  us,  two  or 
three  years,  in  a  sheltered  position,  and  seems  tolerably  hardy  ; 
it  somewhat  resembles  our  native  White  pine,  only  is  much  softer 
and  brighter.    It  is  from  the  mountains  of  Mexico. 

P.  Austriaca  (Austrian  pine). — This  valuable  tree,  perfectly 
Syn^  hardy  everywhere,  is  found  on  the  mountains  in 

p.  nigra,  Austria,  Styria,  Transylvania,  &c,  and  reaches  a 
P.  lancio.      height  of  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  twenty 


I 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  513 

feet.  Take  it  all  in  all,  we  do  not  know  a  finer  or  more  avail- 
able evergreen.  It  grows  in  any  soil  and  has  a  strong,  ram- 
pant, healthy  look,  which  is  positively  refreshing  when  sur- 
rounded by  its  more  delicate  companions,  the  half-hardy  ones 
It  is  very  rapid  in  its  progress,  and  has  a  firm,  stocky  growth, 
retaining  its  fine  green  color  during  our  hottest  summers  and 
coldest  winters.  In  Austria  it  is  very  much  esteemed  for 
charcoal,  and  the  wood  is  said  to  resist  the  alternations  ol 
moisture  and  dryness  better,  even,  than  the  Larch.  By  some,  it 
is  supposed  to  be  only  a  variety  of  laricio. 

P.  Banksiana  (Sir  Joseph  Banks'  pine) — Is  a  stunted, 
^  scrubby,  straggling  bush,  from  five  to  ten  feet 

P.  Hudsonica.  high ;  in  good  soil  it  reaches,  sometimes,  fifteen 
feet.    It  is  found  in  the  most  northern  parts  ol 
North  America,  in  Maine,  Nova  Scotia,  Labrador,  &c,  and  is 
only  valuable  to  complete  a  collection. 

P.  Beardsleyi. — We  are  inclined  to  think  both  these  trees 
are  identical,  and  are  synonymous  with  P.  jjon- 
Sl/v'n  •  derosa,  though  they  are  sold  as  distinct  in  the 

P.  Craigeana.  '  °  J 

English  nurseries,  and  in  ours  also.  They  belong 
to  what  are  called  the  "  Long-leaved  Californians,"  such  as 
Benthamiana,  Ponderosa,  Macrocarpa,  &c,  and  when  young, 
they  re&emble  each  other  so  closely  that  we  must  confess  we 
are  puzzled  to  tell  them  apart,  and  are  not  surprised  at  the  con- 
fusion. Carriere,  in  his  Historie  General  des  Coniferes,  makes 
Beardsleyi  a  distinct  variety,  but  does  not  describe  it,  merely 
saying,  it  was  introduced  in  seed  in  1855,  from  North  America; 
but  Gordon,  who  seems  the  more  thorough  as  well  as  the  latest 
writer,  regards  them  as  synonyms  of  Ponderosa.  In  the 
absence  of  any  more  light,  or  until  the  trees  get  larger,  so  as 
to  show  the  difference,  if  it  exists,  we  shall  adopt  this  classifi- 
cation, and  refer  our  readers  to  our  subsequent  description  of 
Ponderosa,  for  what  may  prove,  presently,  to  answer  for  these 
trees. 

P.  Benthamiana  (Bentham's  pine). — This  superb  tree,  said 
to  be  the  grandest  of  the  "  Long-leaved  Califor- 

*^P  Sinciairi  nians,"  was  found  by  Mr.  Hartweg,  on  the  moun- 
tains of  Vera  Cruz,  where  he  discovered  specimens 

two  hundred  to  two  hundred  and  twenty  feet  high,  with  stems 

33 


514 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


twenty-eight  feet  in  circumference.  It  seems  peculiarly  a 
mountain  pine,  flourishing  above  the  region  of  P.  Sabiniana, 
and  in  the  greatest  abundance,  near  Monterey,  and  on  the 
mountains  above  Bear  Creek.  The  timber  is  said  to  be  the 
most  valuable  of  the  pines,  though  at  five  dollars  apiece  for 
small  plants  eight  to  twelve  inches  high,  we  are  not  likely  to 
test  this  excellence  for  some  years.  It  proves  very  hardy  at 
Wodenethe.  Our  specimens,  but  slightly  protected,  have  stood 
for  three  years  without  injury. 

It  is  also  hardy  at  "  "Wellesley,"  near  Boston,  the  residence 
of  Mr.  Hunnewell.  In  the  public  grounds  at  Washington, 
there  are  fine  specimens  three  and  four  feet  high.  At  Yorkville, 
it  is  hardy,  though  the  plants  being  very  small,  are  often  under 
the  snow.  At  Flushing,  on  the  contrary,  it  is  returned  "not 
hardy,"  and  it  may  belong  to  those  pines  which  do  not  flourish 
near  the  sea.  It  being  still  very  rare  and  costly,  it  has  not  yet 
been  much  planted. 

P.  Brutia  (Calabrian  Cluster  pine). — A  fine  lofty  tree  of 
sixty  to  seventy  feet,  and  bright  green  foliage, 
Sy™'      .       .     with  spreading  head,  found  in  Calabria,  and 

P.  conglomerata.  r  °  7 

closely  resembling  P.  Halepensis  (the  Aleppo 
pine) .  It  is  not  unlike,  in  its  general  appearance,  some  of  the 
numerous  varieties  of  Maritima ;  it  proves  perfectly  hardy  with 
us,  having  been  out  several  winters. 

P.  Canariensis  (Canary  Island  pine). — A  charming,  grace- 
ful, slender  pine,  with  long  pendulous  leaves,  growing  seventy 
to  eighty  feet,  in  its  own  country,  but  too  tender  for  any  thing 
but  pot-culture  here,  though  it  might  do  at  the  extreme  South. 
P.  Cembra  (Swiss  Stone  pine). — All  travelers  who  have 
crossed  Mount  Cenis  and  the  Tyrol,  must  have 
p.  Helvetica.        been  struck  with  the  vast  forests  of  this  tree, 
p.  montana,  &c.     which  abound  in  those  stupendous  regions.  It 
is  the  pine  of  the  Alps  ;  and  as  such  must  prove  hardy  anywhere 
at  the  North.    It  grows  about  fifty  feet  high,  but  very  slowly, 
though  always  forming  a  pretty,  compact  tree.   There  are  many 
synonyms,  and  two  varieties ;  the  Siberian  Stone  pine,  with 
shorter,  denser,  and  greener  leaves,  and  the  Dwarf  Cembran 
pine,  found  on  the  rocks  of  the  Ural  Mountains.    The  seeds  of 
all  three  of  these  varieties  are  eatable. 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  515 


P.  Devoniana  (Duke  of  Devonshire  pine) — A  fine,  delicate, 
pendulous  tree,  with  a  charming  green  foliage,  re- 
Bianco     sembling  very  much  our  P.  palustris  —  called 
also,  Pino  real,  or  Royal  pine,  from  its  majestic 
character.    It  is  from  Mexico,  growing  80  feet  high — tolerably 
hardy  in  England,  and  perhaps  in  our  Southern  States,  but  too 
tender  for  us  at  the  North,  except  for  pot-culture. 

P.  exceha  (Lofty  Bhotan  pine). — We  hardly  know  what 
to  say  of  this  splendid  tree,  called  by  Mr. 
p.  penduia.  Downing,  that  "  affectedly  pretty  pine."  It  is 
p.  Nepaiensis.  universally  returned  to  us  as  hardy,  from  all 
parts  of  the  country,  though  sometimes  suffer- 
ing from  sun  in  summer.  Near  Boston,  this  is  the  case,  and  at 
Natchez,  where  plants  have  to  be  shaded  from  the  summer 
sun.  Mr.  Barry  writes  us  from  Rochester,  it  is  hardy  there, 
but  will  not  make  an  old  tree.  Our  own  trees  at  Wodenethe, 
which  perhaps  are  some  of  the  oldest  in  the  country,  being,  or 
rather  having  been,  sixteen  and  eighteen  feet  high,  certainly 
suffer  from  sun  and  not  cold.  The  winter  of '55  and  '56,  which  de- 
stroyed some  and  damaged  many  other  white  pines  here,  and  even 
road-side  cedars,  produced  no  effect  upon  this  tree,  which  was 
entirely  unprotected  and  uninjured  ;  and  yet  often  in  midsum- 
mer, it  will  become  ruptured  in  its  leading  shoots,  and  die 
back.  This  may  be  on  the  principle  of  the  frozen  sap-blast 
in  fruit  trees,  where  the  damage  done  in  winter,  does  not  de- 
velope  the  injury  before  the  succeeding  summer ;  but  we  are  more 
inclined  to  believe,  that  the  tree,  if  planted  in  rich  holes,  over- 
grows, and  a  sort  of  apoplexy  supervenes.  We  form  this  theory? 
from  observing  that,  where  a  great  redundancy  of  growth  has 
taken  place,  and  the  leading  shoot  is  three  or  four  feet  long 
and  extremely  succulent,  this  rupture  is  most  often  the  result, 
when  the  sun  being  hot,  activity  of  circulation  is  excessive  ; 
when,  however,  the  exuberance  of  growth  is  checked  by  poor, 
thin  soil,  the  tree  grows  enough,  and  seems  to  mature  its  wood 
as  it  advances  through  the  summer — at  any  rate  sufficient  to 
withstand  what  might  be  called  determination  of  sap  to  the 
head ;  so  that  in  future  we  shall  always  plant  Excelsas  in  poor 
soil.  The  variety  itself  is  found  in  Nepaul,  in  the  mountains, 
and  in  Bhotan,  above  the  region  of  the  Deodar.    It  reaches  a 


510 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


height  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet.  It  is  sometimes  called 
the  Himalayan  Weeping  fir.  Take  it  all  in  all,  it  has  been  the 
greatest  favorite,  and  the  most  successful  of  all  the  new  coni- 
fers— having  a  charmingly  graceful  habit,  and  soft,  pretty  glau- 
cous foliage. 

P.  filifolia  (Thread-leaved  pine). — Certainly  this  and  P. 

patula  are  the  most  delicate  and  graceful  of  pines, 
S Vp  'skinneri  exquisite  for  pot-culture,  but  too  tender  for  any 
portion  of  this  country,  except  the  extreme  South. 
It  is  a  native  of  Guatemala,  growing  there  to  the  height  of 
forty  to  sixty  feet,  and  resembling  very  much  our  Georgia  pine 
(P.  palustris),  with  its  long,  beautiful,  thready  leaves,  twelve  to 
fourteen  inches  in  length. 

P.  Jlexilis  (Contorted-branched  pine). — This  curious  tree 
was  found  by  Mr.  Jeffery,  at  an  elevation  of  nine  thousand 
feer,  and  even  fourteen  thousand,  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Eraser's  river,  where  it  makes  a  small  tree  of  forty  feet  high, 
with  a  peculiarly  flattened  head ;  and  on  the  highest  portion  of 
the  mountain,  where  it  degenerates  into  a  shrub  of  only  three 
feet  high,  it  becomes  so  compact  that  a  person  may  walk  on 
the  top  of  it.  It  has  not  been  introduced  here  yet,  and  hardly 
into  England  ;  but  from  its  being  found  so  near  the  snow-line, 
we  should  suppose  it  might  prove  hardy. 

P.  Fremontiana  (Colonel  Fremont's  pine). — This  pine  was 
Qyfa  discovered  by  Col.  Fremont,  during  his  explor- 

P.  monophylia.  ing  expedition,  when  crossing  the  Sierra  Nevada, 
growing  on  both  sides,  extending  over  the  top 
of  that  great,  snowy  chain.  It  does  not  reach  a  size  of  over 
twenty  feet,  is  very  spreading  in  its  habits,  and  will  probably 
prove  perfectly  hardy  in  this  country,  since  Col.  Fremont  often 
found  the  thermometer  at  two  degrees  below  zero,  at  night,  and 
four  feet  of  snow  where  the  tree  grew.  The  seeds  are  eatable, 
and  are  quite  an  article  of  commerce  with  the  Indians,  in  the 
season,  under  name  of  Nut  pine. 

P.  Gerardiana  (Gerard's  pine). — A  slow-growing  but  vigor- 
ous variety  from  the  mountain  of  Kunawar,  in 
p.Neoza.  India,  reaching  the  height  of  fifty  feet,  and 

p. Auckiandii.  forming  a  close,  compact  head;  the  leaves  of 
l .  Chiibhosa.      these  are  stiff*5  and  of  a  bluish  green.  We  had  this 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  517 


twelve  years  ago  as  (if  we  are  not  mistaken)  "  The  Short-leaved 
Weymouth,"  which  we  never  thought  correct,  but  there  was  so 
little  to  distinguish  it  from  an  ordinary  pine  that  we  replaced 
it  by  something  more  valuable.    It  was  perfectly  hardy. 

P.  Halepensis  (Aleppo,  or  Jerusalem  pine). — This  variety 
^n  resembles   the    Brutia    (which  we  have 

P.  Hierosoiymitana.      already  described)  so  much  as  to  be  often 

P.  genuensis.  gold  for  ^     Wq  qu[t^  ag  y^  make 

up  our  mind  whether  it  will  stand  our  climate  here,  or  not.  It 
does  very  well  in  a  wood,  and  a  specimen  more  exposed,  does 
equally  well,  if  it  is  true  ;  but  the  resemblance  to  Brutia  is  so 
great  that  it  may  be  this  variety  ;  Maritima  is  often  confounded 
with  it.  Messrs.  Hovey,  in  Boston,  report  it  as  hardy  and  fine 
there ;  but  their  plants,  like  ours,  may  prove  Brutias,  or  some- 
thing else.  It  is  found  on  the  east  and  west  sides  of  the 
Apennines,  and  in  Sicily,  among  the  rocks  in  Lybia,  and  in 
Greece,  growing  to  be  a  tree  of  thirty  feet. 

P.  Hartwegii  (Hartweg's  pine). — This  is  a  fine  variety  that 
we  remember  to  have  struck  us  very  forcibly  ten 
p.  resinosa.     years  ago,  in  England  (when  very  small),  from 
p.  standishu    the  fin6j  dense  coior  of  the  foliage.    It  is  one  of 
the  Mexican  pines,  forty  to  fifty  feet  high,  and  beginning  on 
the  mountains  at  ten  thousand  feet  elevation,  where  the  Picea 
religiosa  ceases.    We  have  tried  it  for  several  years  with  but 
indifferent  success,  and  have  abandoned  it  as  too  tender  for  any 
climate  north  of  Virginia.    It  is  too  coarse  for  pots. 

P.  inops  (The  New  Jersey  pine). —  This  variety,  too  well 
Sm  known  to  need  description,  is  found  from  Carolina 

p.  variabilis,  to  the  Hudson  River,  but  does,  we  think,  extend 
beyond  it.  It  has  a  spreading  top,  and  is  thirty  to  forty  feet 
high,  and,  of  course,  must  be  planted  in  collections,  though 
hardly  otherwise  would  be  selected  by  the  amateur. 

P.  insignis  (the  Remarkable  pine). — We  regret  that  this 
8yn^  certainly  most  beautiful  pine  will  not 

p.  Caiifornica,  of  Loisei.        resist  our  winters,  even  in  a  wood  ; 

P.minteragensis.  thQUgh  it  will,  110  doubt,  do   Well  and 

prove  a  very  great  acquisition  in  our  Southern  States.  It  is  so 
attractive  in  its  appearance,  that  it  was  one  of  the  earliest  of 
the  new  conifers  tried  here,  but  without  any  success.    It  is 


518 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


found  in  many  portions  of  California,  growing  to  the  height  of 
eighty  to  one  hundred  feet. 

P.  Jeffreyi  (Jeffrey's  pine). — We  doubt  if  this  has  been 
tried  at  all  in  this  country  yet.  Our  own  plants  are  extremely 
small,  and  not  yet  out.  It  is  a  majestic  tree,  one  hundred  and 
fifty  feet  high,  from  Northern  California. 

P.  Lambertiana.  (Lambert's  pine). — This  superb  variety,  reach- 
ing an  altitude  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  feet, 
and  twenty  to  sixty  feet  in  girth  near  the  ground,  is  from  the 
northern  parts  of  California ;  and  is,  without  doubt,  perfectly 
hardy  in  this  latitude.  Our  plants  have  escaped  injury  the 
severe  winters  of  '55  and  '56.  Our  reports  from  Boston,  Flush- 
ing, New  Jersey,  and  Washington  all  coincide  as  to  its  hardi- 
hood ;  so  that  we  may  place  this  among  the  "  safe  trees."  Its 
resemblance  to  the  Pinus  strobus  (White  pine)  has  been  stated 
as  an  objection,  but  it  might  resemble  a  worse  tree  ;  besides, 
we  do  not  think  this  is  quite  so.  To  us  it  is  very  distinctive  ;  and 
it  has  long  been  a  great  favorite  with  us  for  its  fine,  deep  green, 
and  vigorous,  healthy  habit.  It  has  this  merit,  to  say  the  least, 
even  if  its  character  is  not  as  marked  as  many  of  the  less  ro- 
bust pines. 

P.  laricio  (the  Corsican  pine). — This  tree  with  many  syn- 
Syn.  onyms,  is  a  native,  as  its  name  im- 

p.  maritima.  H     of  Corsica,  though  found  also  in 

P.  Corsicana  pyramidalis,  &c.  ?  o 

Europe,  Greece,  and  Spain ;  and  is  the 
great  tree  upon  Mount  JEtna,  growing  rapidly  to  a  height  of 
eighty  to  one  hundred  and  thirty  feet.  It  is  quite  as  hardy  as 
Lambertiana,  or  Austriaca,  all  over  the  country,  having  some- 
what the  robust  habit  of  the  latter,  only  a  less  vivid  green. 
Some  of  our  specimens  of  this  variety  made  leading  shoots  last 
year  of  five  feet. 

P.  I.  Calabrica  (the  Calabrian  pine),  P.  I.  Caramanica  (the 
Caramanian  pine),  P.  I.  pygmcea  (the  Dwarf  Corsican),  and 
P.  I.  contorta  (the  Twisted  Corsican),  are  only  varieties. 

P.  leiophylla  (the  Smooth-leaved  Mexican  pine). — A  large 
tree,  with  an  irregular  open  head,  vertical  branches,  and  droop- 
ing foliage,  growing  sixty  to  one  hundred  feet  high  ;  from  the 
mountains  of  Angangueo,  in  Mexico,  and  is  called  by  the  na- 
tives "  Ocote  Chino,"  from  its  abundance  of  resin,  and  being 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  519 


used  for  torches  and  candles.  The  wood  is  so  hard,  as  tc 
resist  the  plane.  The  tree  is  too  tender  for  the  Middle  States, 
but  would  doubtless  succeed  south  of  Virginia. 

P.  Lindleyana  (Dr.  Lindley's  pine). — This  variety,  often  con- 
Syn.  founded  with  Montezuma?,  and  as  such,  imported 

P.Montezuma;,  by  us  SOme  year  or  so  ago,  is  really  quite  dis- 
tinct, and  is  a  robust,  bushy  looking  tree  of  forty  feet ;  found 
near  the  "  Sumate,"  on  the  mountains  of  Mexico.  It  will,  no 
doubt,  prove  hardy,  coming  from  so  high  an  elevation.  We  do 
not  know  that  it  has  as  yet  been  tried,  nor  do  we  think  it  very 
desirable,  except  in  very  full  collections. 

P.  longifolia  (the  Long-leaved  pine). — This  is  one  of  the 
Syn.  class  of  exquisite  pines,  of  which  P.  jiUfolia, 

p.  serenagensis.  patula,  Ca?iarie?isis,  and  even  Australia  are  also 
representatives.  They  are  all,  except  Australis  (Palustris),  too 
tender  even  for  the  climate  of  Great  Britain,  and  will  not  of 
course  do  at  all  here,  except  in  Georgia,  the  Carolinas,  and  our 
Southern  States,  where  no  greater  addition  to  ornamental  plan- 
tations can  be  made ;  they  are  charming  for  pot-culture  with 
us,  which  is  the  only  way  they  grow  them  in  England  gene- 
rally. The  timber  of  Longifolia  is  excellent,  and  full  of  resin, 
which  is  another  recommendation  for  the  South.  The  foliage 
is  of  an  exquisite  light  green,  and  the  leaves,  twelve  to  fourteen 
inches  long,  delicate  and  thready. 

It  comes  from  the  lower  ranges  of  the  Himmalayan  moun- 
tains, from  Bootan  to  AfFghan,  growing  forty  to  one  hundred 
feet  high,  with  a  peculiar  spiral  arrangement  of  bark  and  fibre, 
like  a  cork-screw. 

The  chips  are  used  in  India  for  candles,  and  are  called 
"  Chamsing"  (night  lights).  According  to  Dr.  Hooker,  ink  is 
made  in  Sikkin  from  the  charcoal  of  the  burnt  leaves  mixed 
with  water.    It  is  also  remarkable  for  its  fragrance. 

P.  macrocarpa  (Dr.  Coulter's  pine). — This  is  a  grand  tree, 
$y*>  which  we  have  had  several  years  under  each  of 

p.Sabiniana.     tne  above  names ;  though  now  we  believe  culti- 

p.  macrocarpa.  vators  have  settled  down  upon  macrocarpa  and 
Coulteri,  as  the  proper  ones.  Our  best  specimens  would  have 
been  eight  to  ten  feet  high,  having  worked  through  the  winters 
of  '55  and  '56,  with  very  trifling  injury,  when,  unfortunately, 


520 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


all  the  terminal  buds  were  eaten  off  by  sheep ;  and  though  the  trees 
might  have  stood  climate  alone,  yet  they  were  unable  to  resist 
both  climate  and  sheep,  and  they  consequently  perished.  It  has 
rugged,  stiff  leaves,  ten  or  twelve  inches  long,  and  becomes  a  very 
striking  tree,  eighty  to  one  hundred  feet  high ;  from  the  moun- 
tains of  Santa  Lucia,  in  California,  at  an  elevation  of  three  or 
four  thousand  feet. 

P.  macrophylla  (the  Long-leaved  Mexican). — An  uncom- 
Syn.  monly  fine  variety,  which  we  lost  in  the  winter  of 

P.  Leroyi.  1855^  in  a  very  exposed  situation,  though  we  are 
not  prepared  to  say  it  would  have  stood  better  in  a  protected 
one.  It  is  a  very  striking  tree,  from  one  of  the  highest  moun- 
tains of  Mexico,  growing  twenty  to  thirty  feet  high,  with  a  fine, 
ample  foliage,  fifteen  inches  long.  It  is  almost  too  stout  and 
coarse  for  pot-culture,  but  would  be  very  ornamental  at  the 
South,  where  it  would  grow  perfectly  well. 

P.  maritima  (the  Maritima  pine). — This  tree,  so  called  and 
so  sold  in  our  nurseries,  is  simply  a  nurseryman's  name,  there 
really  being  no  such  tree.  It  is  very  curious,  but  nevertheless 
true,  that  the  greatest  confusion  prevails,  both  in  the  English 
and  French  nurseries,  about  this  variety.  In  England,  it  is 
confounded  often  with  P.  pinaster,  Halepensis,  and  Laricio  ; 
and  in  France,  with  Pallasiana,  Pithyusa  (Halepensis),  Lari- 
cio, and  Pyrenaica,  and  made  synonymous  with  each  ;  and  in 
this  country,  it  seems  to  represent  any  thing  which  is  un- 
known. 

The  specimens  we  have  seen  in  our  neighborhood  as  Mariti- 
ma, are  probably  Calabrica — a  sub-variety  of  Laricio — and,  we 
think,  most  Maritimas  in  our  nurseries  are  Laricio  or  Pinaster. 
Representing,  as  it  does,  so  many  different  trees,  it  is  difficult 
to  get  any  reputation  about  it  which  is  to  be  depended  on.  In 
Boston,  it  is  returned  to  us  as  tender,  from  which  we  assume 
that  the  variety  there  may  be  Pinaster,  which  is  sometimes 
tender  here ;  while  at  Rochester,  it  is  reported  hardy,  and  may 
be  Calabrica,  or  one  of  the  hardy  synonyms.  At  Washington, 
the  variety  known  as  Maritima,  does  well,  and  also  at  Eliza- 
bethtown  ;  but  what  these  trees  really  are  at  these  two  places, 
we  have  no  means  of  knowing,  except  that  they  are  not  Mari- 
timas. 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  521 


P.  mitis  (Yellow  pine). — This  well-known  variety,  so  com- 
Syn.  mon  once  m  many  portions  of  the  United  States,  re- 

P  tffidablhS   (lu*res  n0  description.    It  has  been  singularly  con- 
P.  royiei.      founded  with  many  other  varieties,  and  has  only 
P.  lutea.       recently  been  distributed  by  the  East  India  Com- 
pany, as  a  new  species,  under  the  name  of  P.  royiei,  which 
farther  experience  shows  clearly  was  the  common  American 
yellow  pine. 

P.  monticola  (the  Mountain  pine). — We  have  had  this  tree 

P.  Lambertiana.     out  for  several  years.    It  is  quite  as  hardy  as 

P.  brevifoha.  our  white  pine,  and  so  closely  resembling  it  as 
hardly  to  pass  as  distinct.  It  grows  as  tall  as  the  White  pine, 
but  has  a  denser  head,  and  shorter  and  more  glaucous  foliage — 
found  on  Trinity  Mountain,  in  Northern  California. 

P.  Montezuma  (Montezuma  Mexican  pine).  —  This  fine 
variety  has  stood  out  with  us  several  winters,  though  somewhat 
protected.  It  is  found  on  the  mountains  of  Mexico,  at  an 
elevation  of  eleven  thousand  feet,  growing  forty  to  sixty  feet 
high,  with  a  spreading  head.  This  does  not  appear  as  yet  to 
be  in  any  of  the  American  collections  besides  our  own. 

P.  Mugho  (the  Mugan  pine). — A  small  tree,  thirty  feet  high, 
P.  syivcstris  Mugho.  from  the  Alps,  perfectly  hardy  everywhere, 
p.  Mughus.  but  not  very  attractive.    There  are  four 

varieties,  all  small,  and  Mugho  nana  (Knee  pine),  not  more 
than  three  feet  high. 

P.  nivea  (the  Snow  pine) — Is  only  a  variety  of  our  common 
White  pine  (P.  strobus),  with  the  under  part  of  the  leaves, 
silvery — quite  as  hardy  as  its  parent. 

P.  palustris. — We  have  already  described  as  Australis. 

P.  patula  (the  Wide-spreading  Mexican  pine). — Of  all  the 
pines  which  we  have  ever  seen,  this  is  beyond  measure  the 
most  graceful  and  charming,  not  only  in  its  growth  and  habit, — 
a  representation  of  which  is  given  in  Fig.  95 — but  in  the 
nature,  softness,  and  color  of  its  leaves.  It  resembles  a 
beautiful,  delicate  green  fountain  of  spun  glass,  and  has  a  parti- 
color,  like  shot-silk,  which  catches  the  sunlight  almost  like  a 
kaleidoscope.  The  leaves  resemble  the  silk  of  maize,  being 
as  soft  and  delicate,  and  not  unlike  it  in  color.  Although 
found  in  the  colder  regions  of  Mexico,  on  the  Real  del  Monte 


522 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


mountains,  it  has  not  the  appearance  of  being  hardy,  and  we 
have  not  yet  attempted  to  acclimatize  it  — having  but  two  plants, 
which  are  quite  beautiful  enough  for  pot-culture  to  satisfy  any- 
body. It  would  unquestionably  grow  at  the  South.  We  have 
no  reports  about  it,  and  know  but  one  other  specimen  in  the 
country,  which  is  at  Wellesley,  near  Boston,  grown,  like  ours, 
in  a  pot.  There  are  two  other  varieties,  P.patula  stricta  (more 
erect),  and  P.  patula  macrocarpa  (much  larger  and  taller)  ; 
neither,  we  think,  in  this  country. 

P.  pinaster  (Star  or  Cluster  pine.) — This  fine  tree,  which, 
when  first  introduced,  and  before  thoroughly 
SVp  Nepaiensis  tested,  promised  to  be  the  most  artistic  of  pines 
p.maritima.  (at  least  of  available  pines) — doing  for  our 

p-  J^°nica'  landscape  what  P.  pinea  (the  Stone  pine)  did 

seven  others.  for  Claude  in  the  Italian  Landscape — has,  in 
our  latitude,  proved  itself  a  little  questiona- 
ble. It  will  certainly  stand  uninjured  our  ordinary  winters  ; 
but  such  uncommon  ones  as  those  of  1855-6,  when,  with  us, 
the  mercury  sank  to  twenty  degrees  below  zero,  destroyed,  at 
Wodenethe,  specimens  eighteen  and  twenty  feet  high,  and  this 
seems  the  experience  of  our  returns. 

It  is  a  most  admirable  tree  for  planting  near  the  sea-shore, 
where  it  thrives  wherever  the  climate  will  permit,  and  is  to  be 
found  all  along  the  Cornish  road,  bordering  the  Mediterranean,  in 
Spain,  Portugal,  Greece,  Turkey,  Japan,  New  Holland.  From 
the  facility  with  which  it  flourishes  near  the  sea,  it  received  its 
synonym  of  maritima.  No  doubt  P.  pinaster  Hamiltonii, 
Lemoniana,  minor  variegata,  are  varieties. 

P.  ponderosa  (the  Heavy-wooded  pine.) — The  hardiest,  we 
should  say,  of  all  pines,  not  excepting  our  na- 
svn-  tive  White  pine,  and  the  fastest  grower.   We  have 

P.  Craigeana.  .  .  .  .  „       .  .  .         .  - 

p.  Beardsieyi.  a  specimen,  sixteen  to  eighteen  feet  high,  raised 
from  seed  in  less  than  seven  years.  This  va- 
riety is  gigantic  in  every  sense  of  the  word  ;  the  new  shoots 
are  two  or  three  times  as  thick  as  those  of  our  White  pine,  and 
same  with  the  buds.  The  annual  leading  shoots  exceed  a 
yard.  It  is  from  the  Northwest  coast  of  America  and  Califor- 
nia, where  it  grows  one*hundred  feet  high     Although  a  strik- 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  523 


ing,  it  is  not  a  handsome  tree,  the  interval  between  the  tiers  of 
branches  being  so  wide  and  the  foliage  so  coarse  and  sparse, 
as  to  give  it  a  thin  and  naked  look  ;  besides  which,  it  has 
an  ugly  habit  of  working  the  crown  of  the  root  out  of  ground, 
so  as  to  give  the  tree  the  appearance  of  insecurity.  Our  tree, 
though  eighteen  feet  high,  and  grown  from  seed  where  it  stands, 
still  requires,  or  seems  to  require,  support.  It  is,  of  course, 
hardy  all  over  the  United  States — at  least,  we  doubt  if  any 
cold  will  affect  it,  though  it  might  suffer  from  sun  in  the  ex- 
treme South. 

P.  Pallasiana  Taurica  (Taurian  pine.) — A  large  tree,  seventy 
to  eighty  feet  high,  found  as  yet  only  in  the  Crimea  and  along 
the  coast  of  the  Black  Sea.  We  have  specimens  which  have 
been  out  several  years  without  protection  ;  perfectly  hardy, 
though  not  very  distinctive,  as  it  resembles  exceedingly  our 
White  pine. 

P.  pumilis  (the  Mountain  pine.) — A  remarkably  stiff,  un- 
graceful  dwarf,  resembling   the  Scotch  fir — in 
P.  Tartarian,    some  favorable  situations,  becoming  a  tree  thirty 
&c-         feet  high,  but  generally  only  a  low,  straggling, 
slow-growing  bush.    It  is  very  common  on  the  Alps  and  the 
Carpathian  Mountains  ;  perfectly  hardy. 

P.  pinea  (Italian  Stone  pine). — No  one,  we  think,  who  has 
svn-  ever  been  to  Rome,  will  have  forgotten  the 

P.  domestica.  Colonna  pine,  which,  together  with  St.  Peter's, 
P.  arctica,  &c.  divided  one's  enthusiasm,  at  the  first  sight  of  the 
eternal  city.  This  superb  object,  rising  abruptly  from  the  midst 
of  the  Colonna  gardens,  is  so  much  associated  in  our  early  recol- 
lections, with  all  views  of  Rome,  that  now  it  is  gone,*  it  would 
really  seem  as  if  we  had  lost  an  old  friend.  It  is  the  great 
tree  of  Claude,  and  all  the  old  masters,  and  no  Italian  garden 
would  seem  quite  perfect  without  it.  It  is  generally,  we  think, 
too  tender  for  this  climate,  though  suited  well  to  the  South. 
We  have  tried  many  times  to  acclimatize  it ;  but  though  it 
may  struggle  on  for  a  few  years,  yet  it  never  would  form,  pro- 
Dably,  the  picturesque  tree,  so  valuable  for  the  composition  of 
certain  landscape  effects. 


*  Blown  down  in  1851. 


524 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


P.  Ptjrenaica  (Pyrenean  pine). — A  very  hardy,  robust 
Syn.  variety  from  the  Pyrenees,  perfectly  hardy 

P.  Hispanica.  with  us,  having  survived   several  winters  ; 

P.  Monspeliensis.  '  °  ' 

P.  laricio,  and       but,  like  P.  nivea  and    P.  Pallasiana,  too 
nine  others.         much  resembling  our  native  White  pine  to 
be  very  distinctive. 

P.  radiata  (Radiated-cone  pine). — This  tree,  from  Upper 
California,  is  one  of  Dr.  Coulter's  introductions,  closely  resem- 
bling the  P.  insignis ;  but,  being  a  little  denser  and  stouter, 
may  prove  hardier.  It  seems  to  thrive  near  the  sea-shore  ; 
the  specimen  found  by  Dr.  Coulter  being  one  hundred  feet 
high,  with  a  straight  stem,  feathered  to  the  ground.  The  wood 
is  much  used  at  Monterey  for  boat-building.  Not  to  our 
knowledge  introduced  here  yet. 

P.  rigida  (Stiff-leaved  pine). — Another  of  our  "  Native 
Syn.  Americans,"   extending   throughout  the 

p.  canadensis-trifoiia.     wfctoIe  of  the  United  States,  as  far  north 

as  Brunswick,  in  Maine.  Not  desirable,  except  to  complete 
collections. 

P.  resinosa  (Red  pine). — An  American  tree,  principally 
Syn.  found  in  Canada  and  Nova  Scotia ;  not  very  unlike 

P.  rubra,  &c.  ^Q  Corsican.  It  abounds  in  resin,  and  is  esteemed 
for  its  strength  and  durability. 

P.  Sabiniana  (Sabine's  pine). — This  majestic  tree — from  the 
Cordilleras  of  Mexico,  where  it  grows  to  the  height  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  feet — is  very  distinctive,  and,  we  believe,  will 
prove  hardy.  Our  trees  have  been  out  since  the  severe  winters 
of  1 855-5 6,  and  stand  in  a  protected  place  thus  far  very  well. 
The  tone  of  the  foliage  is  peculiarly  soft  and  pleasing,  being 
of  a  light  glaucous  color. 

P.  strobus  (White  or  Weymouth  pine). — A  description  of  this 
well-known  tree  will  be  found  in  the  first  part  of  the  book,  under 
Mr.  Downing's  section  on  evergreen  trees. 

P.  sylvestris  (Scotch  fir). — This  valuable  variety  is  also  too. 
well  known  to  require  description  or  even  mention,  beyond  the 
fact  that,  take  it  all  in  all,  it  is  perhaps  the  most  important  of 
all  foreign  pines.  It  is  perfectly  hardy  everywhere  in  this 
country,  and  in  Europe,  where  it  is  cultivated  under  twenty 
different  names.    It  is  not  a  beautiful  tree,  though  it  assumes, 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  525 


with  age,  a  good  many  picturesque  forms.  It  is  very  cheap — 
plants,  two  or  three  feet  high,  can  be  imported  from  the  Eng- 
lish nurseries,  at  three  or  four  dollars  the  hundred — and  very 
valuable  as  a  hack  tree  for  planting  out  disagreeable  objects 
and  making  screens.  There  are  a  good  many  varieties  ;  among 
them  are,  Variegata,  which  is  with  us  as  hardy  as  Sylvestris, 
having  a  golden  stripe  or  blotch  on  the  leaves  ;  Pygmea,  a 
dwarf,  of  two  feet  or  so;  Argentea,  a  silver-leaved  variety. 

P.  tceda  (Loblolly  pine). — Another  of  our  native  trees, 
Svn  found  from  Florida  to  Virginia,  forming  a  tree 

P.  Vh-giniana.    of  eighty  feet  high,  with  a  spreading  head.  This 
p.  Penmfoiui.     jg  ajg0  cane(j  tjie  Frankincense  pine,  and  is  dis- 
tinguished by  its  delightful  aroma. 

P.  tuberculata  (Tuberculated-cone  pine). — We  have  but 
Syn.  lately  had  this  variety,  and  by  its  synonymous 

p.  Caiifornica.  name  (Calif brnica) .  It  was  discovered  by  Dr. 
Coulter,  immediately  on  the  beach,  near  Monterey,  and  after- 
wards was  found  on  the  Santa  Cruz  mountains,  by  Mr.  Hart- 
weg.  Mr.  Jeffrey,  also,  found  it  on  an  elevation  of  five  thou- 
sand feet.  It  is  said  to  be  slow-growing,  reaching  a  height  of 
forty  feet.  Our  specimens,  so  far,  resemble  P.  Sabiniana.  We 
have  no  reports  about  it,  and  never  saw  any  other  specimens 
except  our  own. 


Podocarpus. 

This  comparatively  rare  genus  obtains  its  name  from  two 
Greek  words,  tfov£,  a  foot,  and  Kapifog,  a  fruit ;  and  is  found  in 
Asia,  Africa  and  America,  and  may  be  anglicised  into  the 
Fruit  foot-stalked  yew,  from  which  it  seems  only  slightly  dif- 
fering, many  varieties  being  sold  as  Taxus  (Yew),  instead  of 
Podocarpus.  There  are  about  ninety  varieties  introduced  into 
the  collections  on  the  Continent  and  in  England ;  a,  great  many 
of  these  are  very  tender,  even  abroad,  and  we  do  not,  as  yet, 
find  more  than  four  which  promise  at  all  well  for  this  country. 

Of  these,  P.  Japonica  (Japan  podocarpus),  seems  the  best 
known  as  yet,  and  the  hardiest.  It  is  a  small  tree,  from  Japan, 
where  it  abounds,  and  is  not  very  unlike  Taxus  Hibernica  (the 
Irish  yew),  only  with  a  broader  and,  perhaps,  flatter  leaf ;  our 


520 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


specimens  have  been  through  two  winters  without  any  injury 
— it  is  certainly  with  us  quite  as  hardy  as  the  Irish  yew.  It 
is  reported  to  us  as  hardy  at  Flushing  and  at  two  different 
places  in  Georgia,  but  being  new  and  costly  it  has  not  as  yet 
been  tried  anywhere  else. 

P.  Andina  (The  Andes  podocarpus). — Another  pretty,  small 
Syn.  tree,  ten  to  twenty  feet  high,  from  the  Alpine 

p.  Taxus  spicata.  regions  of  South  Chili,  with  a  broader  and 
more  leathery  leaf  than  the  preceding  variety ;  our  specimen 
is  out,  for  first  time,  this  winter,  and  we  have  but  one  return 
about  it,  which  is  from  Augusta,  and  is  satisfactory. 

P.  coriacea  (Leathery-leaved  podocarpus).  —  This  variety 
Syn.  comes  from  the  Blue  Mountains  of  Jamaica, 

Taxus  lancifoiia.  an(j  aiso  the  Antilles,  growing  fifty  feet  high. 
We  have  more  doubt  about  this  than  the  two  above,  and  we 
have  but  one  return,  from  Flushing,  L.  I.,  where  it  is  marked 
"  hardy." 

P.  taxifolia  (Yew-leaved  podocarpus). — There  is  no  quetions 
£yn,  we  think,  of  the  hardihood  of  this  variety 

Taxus  montana.  We  have  had  it  out  three  years  without 

Torreya  Humboldii.        .   .  T,  tl  ,      T  .  , 

injury.  It  resembles  still  more  the  Irish 
yew,  than  P.  Japonica.  It  comes  from  the  mountains  of  Peru, 
at  an  elevation  of  eight  thousand  feet,  where  it  is  a  tree  of 
sixty  feet.    We  have  no  returns. 

There  is  one  other  variety,  not  yet  received  into  this  country, 
to  our  knowledge,  which  promises  better  than  any  of  the  above, 
viz.  :  Podocarpus  Nubigena,  which  is  described  as  one  of  the 
finest,  as  it  is  unquestionably  one  of  the  hardiest  and  most  dis- 
tinct, of  all  the  conifers  introduced  within  a  few  years.  It  is  a 
native  of  Patagonia  and  is  found  also  on  the  Andes,  near  the 
Araucaria  imbricata,  which  tree  it  much  resembles — the 
branches  being  produced  at  regular  distances  like  it. 


Saxe  Gothoea  conspicua.    Prince  Albert's  Yew. 

Syn.  Taxus  Patagonica. 

A  genus  by  itself,  and  this  the  only  species  ;  a  small  bush  or 
tree  found  on  the  mountains  of  Patagonia,  growing  thirty  feet 
high,  with  very  much  the  habit  and  appearance  of  the  common 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  527 


yew,  but  not  so  fine  a  color.  We  have  no  report  about  it  in  this 
country,  and  presume  it  will,  at  the  North,  at  least,  have  to  be 
grown  in  tubs,  though  we  have  a  specimen  out  this  winter. 


Sequoia  sempervirens,    California  Red  Wood. 

Better  known  here  as  Taxodium  sempervirens.  Found  in  the 
northwest  part  of  North  America,  forming  a  majestic  tree  two 
hundred  to  three  hundred  feet  high,  and  often  confounded  with 
Washingtonia  gigantea,  quite  a  different  thing ;  the  foliage  of 
the  Sequoia  being  flat,  two-rowed,  and  dark  green,  while  that  of 
Washingtonia  is  needle-shaped,  spirally  alternate,  and  on  the 
branchlets  very  close  and  regularly  imbricated  like  an  Arbor 
vitae,  besides  being  a  light  or  yellowish  green.  The  two  varie- 
ties are  probably  the  most  gigantic  evergreens  in  the  world. 
There  is  a  slab  of  the  wood  of  the  Sequoia  at  St.  Petersburgh, 
measuring  fifteen  feet  in  diameter,  and  having  one  thousand 
and  eight  annual  rings  to  mark  its  age. 

We  have  tried  it  many  winters,  but  with  hardly  any  success. 
It  grows  too  rapidly  and  too  late  in  the  autumn  to  ripen  off  its 
wood,  and  almost  always  with  us  gets  killed  back  to  the  snow- 
line, though  generally  shooting  up  again  the  next  spring  to 
meet  a  similar  fate  the  succeeding  winter.  We  have  no  returns 
about  this  tree  other  than  tender,  except  from  Washington, 
where  a  specimen,  six  feet  high,  planted  by  Mr.  Downing,  in 
1852,  is  growing  beautifully  though  slightly  injured  in  '55-6. 
There  is  no  reason  why,  in  our  Southern  States,  it  should  not 
succeed  perfectly. 


Taxodium  distichum.    Deciduous  Cypress. 

Syn.   Cuprcssus  Virginiana,  &c,  &c. 

Though  not  an  evergreen,  yet  this  valuable  genus  is  closely 
allied  to  coniferous  trees,  and  is  well  known  by  all  planters  as 
the  Southern  or  Swamp  cypress,  found  along  the  banks  of 
rivers  and  swamps  in  vast  quantities  ;  in  Georgia,  Carolina. 
Florida,  and  all  the  Southern  States,  it  reaches  the  height  of 
one  hundred  and  twenty  feet.     It  is  perfectly  hardy  at  the 


528 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


North.  The  varieties,  fastigiatum,  pcdulum,  nutans,  Sec,  are 
described  under  the  head  of  Glyptostrobus. 


Taxus.    The  Yew. 

Great  additions  have  been  made  to  this  class  of  ever- 
greens, since  the  first  edition  of  this  book,  where  only  three 
foreign  and  one  American  varieties  are  mentioned,  viz.  : 
T.  baccata  (the  Common  English),  T»  fas  tig  lata  (the 
Upright  yew),  and  the  T.  fructo-Jiava  (Yellow-berried). 
Among  the  new  ones  which  we  have  found  hardy,  are : 

T.  adpressa  (Flattened  or  Creeping  yew). — An  exceedingly 
Syn.  dark,  striking  bush,  never,  we  believe,  ex- 

Cephalotaxus  adpressa,  ceeding  three  feet  high,  but  spreading 
T.  brevifolia.  °  .  ,  1  ° 

horizontally ;  with  very  minute  close 
leaflets  and  pretty  bright  red  berries,  very  desirable  ;  like  all 
the  yews,  doing  better  in  the  shade. 

T.  argentea  and  T.  aurea  (Silver  and  Golden  yew). — These 
two  are  very  beautiful  and  desirable  varieties  of  the  Common 
yew  ;  the  first  having  silvery  white-striped  leaves,  and  the 
second  golden.  They  seem  perfectly  hardy  here.  We 
have  some  Golden  yews  grafted  standard  high  on  the  Green 
yew,  which  produces  a  very  pleasing  contrast.  They  are  more 
commonly  known  in  the  English  nurseries  as  Taxus  elegans  and 
Taxus  elegantissima. 

T.  Dovaston  (Dovaston's  yew). — A  singular  Weeping 
Syn.  variety  of  common  English  yew,  found  some  years 

T.  penduia,  -f      remember  aright,  in  the  yard  of  a  cob- 

T.  horizontalis.    °  ' 

bier  near  Shrewsbury  ;  described  as  pendulous  as 
a  birch  or  weeping  willow ;  quite  hardy  with  us,  and  well 
worth  cultivating. 

T.  erecta  (the  Erect  yew) — A  slender  variety  of  the  com- 
Syn.  mon  English  yew,  with  smaller  foliage,  and 

T  stdct?daliS'  more  erect  habit  of  growth  5  sometimes  called 
Fulham  yew.  It  is  thought  by  some  cultiva- 
tors in  this  country  to  be  hardier  than  the  common  English  yew, 
though  the  latter  with  us,  especially  after  a  year  or  so, 
succeeds  perfectly  well,  though  possibly  a  little  browned  in 
very  severe  winters. 


TUE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  529 


T.  ericoides  (the  Heath-like  yew).— A  very  pretty,  slender 
Syn,  variety,  with  very  minute  foliage,  quite  dis- 

T.  microphylla.  tinctive  and  liardy  here,  and  at  Newport. 
T.  Hibernica  (the  Irish  yew). — The  same  as  Fastigiata,  a  very 
striking  pyramidal  tree,  resembling  in  its  close  compact  habit, 
the  Lombardy  poplar.  There  are  specimens  in  England  twen- 
ty-one feet  high,  though  usually  twelve  to  fifteen  feet  seems  its 
common  height ;  it  is  also  known  as  the  Florence  Court  yew. 
It  is  quite  hardy  generally,  though  sometimes  a  little  browned 
by  severe  winters.  This  is  a  most  admirable  variety  for  pot- 
culture. 

T.  nana  (Dwarf  yew), — A  very  dwarf,  hardy  variety,  never 
Syn.  exceeding  two  or  three  feet,  but  very  spreading, 

T.  Foxii.       ijke  fjjg  Prostrate  juniper. 

T.  variegata  (Variegated  yew). — A  handsome  variety,  differ 
ing  a  little  from  the  Golden  yew,  and  sometimes  sold  as  T.  ele- 
gans  ;  hardy  here. 

Thuiopsis.  Broad-leaved  arbor  vitm. 
Name  derived  from  Thuia,  arbor  vita:,  and  opsis,  like.  There- 
is  but  one  variety  of  this  new  genus  recognized  in  Gordon's 
Pinetum,  viz.,  Thuiopsis  dolabrata.  The  remaining  variety, 
known  in  this  country  as  Thuiopsis  borealis,  is  classed  by  Mr. 
Gordon  among  the  Cuprcssi,  and  has  already  been  described  by 
us  as  a  most  valuable  and  hardy  tree,  known  as  Cupressus 
Noothaensis.  We  think,  ourselves,  it  would  be  better  to  adopt, 
the  nurserymen's  name,  Thuiopsis  Borealis,  by  which  it  is  gen- 
erally invoiced. 


Thuja.    The  Arbor  vitje. 
So  many  of  this  family  have  been  already  described  under 
the  head  of  Biota,  and  Mr.  Downing  having  said  all  that  was 
necessary  upon  the  common  American  arbor  vitae  {Thuja  occi- 
dentalis),  but  few  distinctive  Thujas  remain  for  us  to  mention. 

Thuja  gigantea  (Gigantic  arbor  vitae). — If  this  succeeds  in 
Syn.  the  United  States — and  there  is  every 

T.  Craigiana-  reason  to  be  satisfied  with  its  success 

T.  Libocedrus  decurrens.  .  t 

thus  far — it  will  unquestionably  be  the 

34 


530 


LANDSCAPE  GAJiDENING. 


noblest  addition  this  genus  ever  received.  Accustomed  as  we 
are  to  regard  the  Arbor  vitas  as  a  small  bush,  principally  avail- 
able for  hedging  or  single  specimens,  ten  to  twenty  feet  high, 
for  small  villa-gardens  and  village-yards,  we  shall  find  it  diffi- 
cult to  realize  that  we  are  to  have  an  arbor  vitas  reaching  to 
the  dignity  of  a  majestic  tree,  one  hundred  and  forty  feet  up- 
right, with  a  fine  umbrella-shaped  top  and  picturesque  head. 
This  is  another  of  the  giants  from  the  Columbia  river  and 
Nootka  sound.  Mr.  Jeffrey  discovered  it  along  the  banks  of 
Scott's  river,  and  sent  it  home  to  England  as  Thuja  Craigiana. 
Mr.  Nuttall,  in  his  Rocky  Mountain  expedition,  also  discovered 
it,  and  gave  it  the  name  of  Thu.  gigantea ;  and  finally,  Dr. 
Torrey  has  classed  it  as  a  Libocedrus,  and  distinguished  it  as 
decurrens.  It  has  since  again  been  discovered  in  California, 
in  1853,  by  M.  Borusier  de  la  Riviere. 

It  has  been  discovered  so  many  times,  by  different  people, 
and  received  different  names,  that  a  good  deal  of  confusion 
exists  about  it,  and  it  is  often  confounded  with  another  Thu. 
gigantea — so  named  by  Sir  William  Hooker,  in  his  American 
Flora — but  which,  though  coming  from  California,  is  a  more 
slender  tree,  not  over  fifty  feet,  and  is  beyond  doubt,  the  true 
Thu.  Menziesii,  which  is  also  sometimes  called  Thu.  plicata, 
and  very  much  resembling  the  American  arbor  vitas.  In  fact, 
it  would  seem  as  if  there  often  existed  among  Arbor  vitass 
botanical  rather  than  physical  differences,  which  often,  as  in 
this  case,  and  that  of  the  Siberian  Arbor  vitas,  produces  great 
perplexity. 

As  these  two  giganteas  are  completely  mixed  up,  we  will 
describe  them  separately,  with  the  hope  of  throwing  some  light 
upon  their  difference. 

The  real  Thu.  gigantea  has  its  branches  rather  erect,  long, 
slender,  and  spreading  laterally,  with  numerous  smaller  ones ; 
branchlets,  short,  flattened,  channeled  along  the  sides  ;  leaves 
awl-shaped,  lanceolate,  loosely  imbricated  in  four  roivs,  the 
outer  pair  being  the  longest,  and  folded  partially  over  the  inner 
pair  on  both  sides,  giving  the  young  shoots  a  trident-like  ap- 
pearance. 

The  Thu.  Menziesii,  on  the  contrary,  has  its  branches  spread- 
ing, flat,  more  or  less  horizontal,  slender,  and  of  a  deep  brown 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  581 


color,  alternately  two  round,  and  nearly  all  the  inner  side  quite 
straight ;  leaves  in  alternately  opposite  pairs,  closely  imbricated, 
those  on  the  branchlets  being  much  shorter,  more  rounded,  and 
furnished  with  a  short  spiny  point ;  besides  which,  one  forms  a 
tree  of  one  hundred  and  forty,  while  the  other  (Thu,  Menziesii) 
only  attains  an  altitude  of  forty  feet. 

We  are  not  yet  able  to  say  what  either  of  these  trees  will 
do  in  this  country.  The  real  gigantea  is  said  to  be  hardy,  and 
the  false  not.  At  Elizabethtown,  N.  J.,  Mr.  Reid  writes  us, 
"  The  true  one  grows  rapidly,  and  will  no  doubt  prove  hardy." 
At  Augusta  it  stands  perfectly  well.  At  Flushing,  not  quite 
hardy.  These  are  the  only  reports  we  have,  and  our  own  plants 
are  out  for  the  first  time. 

Thu.  macrocarpa. — This  is  a  variety  we  received,  if  we  mis- 
take not,  several  years  since,  from  Messrs.  Ellwanger  &  Barry, 
of  Rochester,  and  about  which  we  can  find  no  mention  in  any 
of  the  books,  nor  does  it  seem  to  exist  in  any  of  the  foreign 
Pinetums,  or  in  any  nurserymen  or  collectors'  catalogues.  It 
resembles  so  much  the  Thu.  gigantea,  that  we  are  inclined 
to  think  it  is  this  variety  under  a  different  name.  We  have 
never  tried  it  out,  as  we  could  not  find  anything  of  its  charac- 
ter or  habits  under  this  name. 

Thu.  variegata  (Variegated  arbor  vitse). — Only  a  golden- 
striped  variety  of  our  common  arbor  vitae,  but  pretty  and  dis- 
tinctive, and  perfectly  hardy. 

Thu.  aurea.  Americana  (American  Golden  arbor  vitae). — Is 
an  exceedingly  pretty  and  well-marked  seedling,  found  acci- 
dentally in  a  nursery  row  by  our  neighbor,  Mr.  Daniel  Brinck- 
enhoff,  and  named  by  us  as  above.  The  new  growth  is  very 
distinctly  yellow,  and  the  old .  foilage,  which  is  a  bright  clear 
green,  tones  off  so  gradually  and  delicately  into  the  golden 
hue  of  the  new,  as  to  produce  a  most  pleasing  little  tree,  and 
perfectly  hardy. 

Thu.  Hoveyi  (Hovey's  arbor  vitae). — Another  American 
seedling  not  yet  introduced,  but  which  is  described  to  us  by 
Messrs.  Hovey  (in  whose  nursery,  near  Boston,  it  was  found) 
as  a  seedling  of  Occidentalis,  as  hardy  as  an  oak,  having  never 
lost  a  limb  in  the  severe  winters  of '55  and  '56.  Very  nearly  of 
the  same  habit  as  Aurea,  compact  and  upright  branches;  leaves 


532 


L A. N DSCAPK  G A RD ENING. 


as  fine  as  Aurea,  making  a  most  superb  tree.  It  holds  its  color 
even  better  than  Thu.  Siberica,  while  it  is  a  lively,  soft  green, 
brighter  than  Aurea,  and  not  as  sombre  as  Siberica.  It  is  now, 
even  in  midwinter,  as  green  as  most  arbor  vitses  are  in  summer. 
Messrs.  Hovey  have  two  other  seedlings,  not  as  distinct  or 
fine  as  the  above. 

Thu.  plicata  (Nootka  Sound  arbor  vitae). — These  two  plants 
s  n  plicata  and  Warreana,  though  often  sold  by  se- 

Thu.  Warreana.    parate  names,  are,  beyond  question,  identical ; 

Thu.  compacta.     tnis  js  tne  conclusion  both  of  the  English  and 

Thu.  robusta.  ,  ,     .  .  .  .        .  , 

r  rench  authorities ;  although  there  is  another 
plicata,  a  synonym  of  Thu.  Menziesii  in  the  English  collections, 
and  another  Warreana  in  some  of  the  French  collections,  as 
among  "les  varieties  horticoles,"  but  only  another  name  for 
Thu.  occidentalis.  The  true  plicata  and  true  Warreana  are  one 
and  the  same  thing. 

The  Nootka  Sound  arbor  vitce  is  found  on  the  western  shores 
of  North  America,  at  Nootka  Sound,  quite  hardy,  everywhere, 
and  differing  from  the  common  American  arbor  vita?,  in  having 
its  branches  shorter,  more  compact,  stouter,  and  densely  covered 
with  small,  flattened  leaves,  bluntly  pointed,  and  with  a  plaited 
and  jointed  appearance. 

We  have  already  alluded,  under  the  head  of  Biota,  to  the  dif- 
ficulty in  recognizing  the  origin  of  B.  Siberica,  which  is  some- 
times confounded  with  Tatarica,  but  more  generally  with  War- 
reana. This  latter  (Warreana)  was  named  from  Mr.  Ware,  a 
nurseryman  at  Coventry,  in  England,  and  Mr.  Loudon  con- 
sidered it  as  a  distinct  variety  ;  but  it  seems  now  to  be  referred 
back  again  to  Thu.  occidentalis ;  and  Siberica  adopted  as  its 
name  without  any  botanical  authority,  and  simply  as  a  nur- 
sery distinction  ;  and  we  presume,  consequently,  that  all  plants 
grown  in  this  country,  as  the  Siberian  arbor  vitas,  are  War- 
reana, or  its  synonym,  plicata. 

Tornya.    The  Torreya. 

Vulgarly,  the  Stinking  Yew. — Small  evergreen  trees,  found 
in  North  America,  China  and  Japan,  emitting,  when  bruised, 


THE  NEWER  EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  533 


a  strong,  disagreeble  smell,  and  named  after  Dr.  Torrey,  the 
celebrated  American  botanist. 

T.  grandis  (The  Grand  Torrey  a). — Discovered  by  Fortune 
in  northern  part  of  China,  as  a  large  tree  with  a  spreading 
head,  but  so  resembling  a  Cephalotaxus  (which  most  of  the 
others  do)  as  to  render  it  uncertain  whether  it  may  not  yet 
prove  one.  It  is  considered  very  desirable  whatever  it  may 
be,  but  just  introduced  into  England  and  not  yet,  to  our  know- 
ledge, here. 

'.  myristica  (Californian  nutmeg). — A  small,  bushy  tree, 
twenty  to  forty  feet  high,  with  spreading  horizontal  branches, 
found  on  the  Sierra  Nevada,  in  California  ;  quite  hardy  in  Eng- 
land and  likely  to  prove  so  here.  Our  specimens  are  out  for 
first  winter,  and  we  have  no  returns.  Like  all  the  Torreyas, 
emitting  a  most  disagreeable  odor  when  bruised  or  burnt,  and 
called  by  emigrants  the  Stinking  yew  or  California  nutmeg. 

T.  nucifera  (Nut-bearing  Torreya). — This  is  out  with  us  at 
Wodenethe,  for  the  first  winter,  and  we  have  no  returns 
about  it.  It  is  another  small  tree,  twenty  to  thirty  feet  high, 
found  on  the  mountains  of  Niphon  and  Sikok,  in  Japan,  where 
an  oil  is  made  from  the  kernel  of  the  nuts,  used  there  for  cu- 
linary purposes.  The  nut  itself,  and  the  leaves  and  branches, 
have  the  distinguishing  characteristic  of  all  the  Torreyas — a 
disagreeable  odor. 

T.  taxifolia  (Yew-leaved  Torreya.) — This  is  one  of  our 
Syn,  greatest  accessions  in  the  Middle  States — be- 

Taxusmontana.  ing  now  perfectiv  hardy  with  us,  as  already 
described  in  our  introductory  chapter  on  evergreens,  and  very 
distinctive. 

It  is  a  handsome  pyramidal  tree,  with  numerous  spreading 
branches,  growing  from  forty  to  fifty  feet  high,  found  in  the 
middle  and  northern  parts  of  Florida,  where  it  is  commonly 
known  by  the  inhabitants  as  Stinking  cedar  and  Wild  nutmeg. 

Our  best  specimen  (fig.  96),  is  about  eight  feet  high,  very 
dense,  showing  nothing  but  foliage,  like  a  thrifty  arbor  vitas, 
and  remarkable,  particularly  in  winter,  for  the  star-like  ap- 
pearance of  the  extreme  tips  of  its  young  shoots. 

We  have  returns  of  this  tree  from  Elizabethtown,  N.  J  , 
Dobb's  Ferry,  Yorkville,  Flushing  and  Newport,  in  all  of 


534 


LAN  DSC  APE  (i  AJil  )EN  ING. 


which  places  it  succeeds  well,  and  is  considered  hardy,  except 
at  the  last  place  where  it  is  reported  tender. 


Washingtonia  gigantea.    The  Mammoth  Tree. 

This  truly  most  magnificent  of  all  trees — deciduous  or  ever- 
^n  green — was  discovered  in  a  valley  at  the 

Weiiingtonia  gigantea.   source  of  one  of  the  tributaries  of  the  Cala- 
Sequoiagigantea.         yerag>  California.    Within  an  area  of  fifty 
acres  only,  ninety  two  trees  of  this  species  were  found  stand- 
ing, beyond  doubt  the  most  stupendous  vegetable  products  on 
earth. 

They  were  first  discovered  in  1850,  by  some  hunters,  whose 
accounts  were  considered  fabulous  until  confirmed  by  actual 
measurement.  The  largest  tree  was  one  called  the  "  Father  of 
the  Forest,"  four  hundred  and  fifty  feet  high,  one  hundred  and 
twelve  feet  in  circumference.  The  next  largest  the  "  Mother 
of  the  Forest,"  three  hundred  and  twenty-seven  feet  high,  and 
ninety  feet  in  circumference. 

Three  trees,  growing  together,  called  the  "  Three  Graces," 
are  each  three  hundred  feet  high,  ninety  feet  in  circumference. 
There  is  another  which  has  fallen,  and  through  which  a  man  on 
horseback  may  ride  seventy-five  feet,  and  twelve  feet  in  the 
clear.  These  trees  may  be  truly  termed  the  "  Lions  of  Califor- 
nia," and  in  such  estimation  are  they  held,  that  it  has  been 
found  sufficiently  remunerative  to  erect  a  hotel  and  run  a  line 
of  stages  to  Sacramento  city  and  Sonora,  for  the  accommodation 
of  visitors  to  these  great  natural  curiosities. 

The  botanical  discovery  of  this  genus  was,  however,  probably 
made  by  the  unfortunate  Douglas,  in  1831,  when  he  writes  to 
Mr.  Hooker :  "  The  splendor  of  the  Californian  vegetation  con- 
sists of  a  species  of  Taxodium  which  gives  to  the  mountains  an 
especial  beauty,  which  I  may  almost  call  terrible." 

This  wonderful  tree,  which  closely  resembles,  in  our  plants, 
the  Weeping  arbor  vitae  (Thuja  jiliformis),  in  its  imbricated 
leaves,  of  a  more  delicate  color  than  the  arbor  vitae,  being  of  a 
pleasing  light  green,  is,  we  are  happy  to  say,  promising  to  be 
hardy  in  the  United  States. 


EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  SHRUBS. 


535 


Our  own  plants  have  only  been  out  one  year,  but  seem  to 
succeed  perfectly  well.  We  have  returns  from  a  good  many 
parts  of  the  country  where  it  has  not  been  left  out  all  winter, 
and  also  from  Mr.  Reid,  at  Elizabethtown,  where  it  was,  and 
who  has  a  specimen  four  to  five  feet,  perfectly  hardy.  He 
thinks,  in  time,  it  may  prove  as  common  as  a  Norway  spruce, 
being  very  rapid  in  its  growth.  At  Woodlawn,  N.  J.,  it  stand.^ 
well,  the  largest  specimen  being  four  to  five  feet.  At  Rochester, 
it  is  hardy,  and  also  at  Augusta. 


Widdringtonia.  The  African  Cyprus. 
A  new,  distinct  variety  of  Cyprus,  found  at  Cape  of  Good 
Hope,  and  Madagascar,  and  named  after  Capt.  Widdrington, 
and  a  variety  of  which,  erroneously  called  Widdringtonia  eri- 
coides, has  been  imported  into  this  country,  and  is  cultivated 
with  some  success,  doing  very  well  here  in  the  shade,  and 
also  at  Washington  and  Augusta.  We  hardly  know  why  it 
comes  out  to  us  as  a  Widdringtonia.  In  the  English  collection 
it  is  called  Retinispora  ericoides,  and  in  the  French,  Chamoesy- 
paris  ericoides  ;  but,  by  whatever  name  it  is  called,  it  is  a  pretty 
heath-like  little  shrub,  resembling  somewhat  the  Irish  juniper. 
It  is  cultivated  in  Japan  (its  native  country),  in  pots,  and 
called  "Nezu,"—  (Dwarf.) 


EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  SHRUBS. 

But  very  little  progress  has  been  made  in  the  planting 
of  evergreen  shrubs.  As  great  as  has  been  the  ad- 
vance in  trees,  especially  the  coniferous,  there  has  been 
nothing  to  correspond  with  it  in  the  introduction  of 
evergreen  shrubs.  "With  the  exception  of  a  few  varieties 
of  the  Berberries — like  Japonica,  Bealii,  Intermedia, 
&c,  we  do  not  remember  any  thing  available  for  this 


536 


LAN  DSC  AI'K  GARDENING. 


climate  now,  which  was  not  well  known  when  Mr 
Downing  wrote. 

There  are,  perhaps,  a  few  things,  untried  ten  years 
ago,  which  have  been  tested  the  past  three  or  four 
years,  and  not  "found  wanting;"  such  as  some  of  the 
smaller  English  shrubs,  like  the  Andromeda — especially 
Floribunda — the  Cotoncaster,  of  which  Buxifolia,  with 
us,  proves  the  hardiest,  though  Microphylla  and  Margi- 
nata,  both  do  well  in  the  shade.  And  here  let  us  remark, 
once  for  all,  that  no  evergreen  shrubs  do  at  all  well  in 
this  country,  in  the  sun.  Every  thing,  from  the  yew 
down  to  the  creeping  periwinkle,  succeeds  ivell,  only 
in  shade. 

If  it  is  impossible  or  inconvenient,  to  have  these 
shrubs  otherwise  than  exposed  in  open  lawns,  we  should 
recommend  only  the  employment  of  certain  varieties, 
like  the  Rhododendrons,  Catawbiensis,  Kalmia  latifolia, 
Mahonia  aquifolium,  and  Ilex  laurifolia. 

These  four  shrubs  seem  to  stand  any  amount  of  heat 
and  cold.  Our  thermometer,  while  we  now  write,  indi- 
cates sixteen  below  Zero  ;  and  last  summer  they  passed 
through  a  tiery  ordeal  of  95°  to  100°  :  and  this  they 
have  done  for  many  years,  with  no  other  ill  effect  than 
that  the  very  hot  weather  changes  that  fine,  deep, 
dense  color  they  universally  have  in  the  shade,  into  a 
yellowish  green,  but  they  survive  and  grow  and  flourish 
and  bloom,  though  certainly  less  fine  than  when  planted 
on  the  north  of  buildings  or  woods. 

Take  it  all  in  all,  we  consider  the  Mahonia  (some- 
times called  Berberris  mahonia),  the  most  valuable 
t)f  all  shrubs,  deciduous  or  evergreen. 

If  there  is  any  exception  to  our  remarks  above,  about 
the  necessity  of  growing  evergreen  shrubs  in  the 
shade,  we  should  make  it  in  favor  of  this  variety. 
It  may  be  imported  very  cheap.  Messrs.  Waterer  & 
Godfrey,  Knaphill  Nursery,  Woking,  near  London,  offer 
plants,  one  foot  high,  at  eighty  shillings  sterling,  per 


EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  SHRUB8. 


537 


thousand,  and  in  same  proportion  for  smaller  quanti- 
ties. It  is  perfectly  hardy — a  most  rapid  grower — has 
a  very  attractive,  yellow  flower  early  in  spring,  succeed- 
ed by  fine  purplish  berries  in  autumn,  which,  in  Eng- 
land, are  used  for  preserves  by  the  agricultural  classes, 
very  much,  as  in  New  England,  the  common  Berberry 
is  used  for  same  purpose.  It  is  evergreen,  or  if  not 
entirely  so,  it  has  what  is  even  better,  a  most  superb 
rich,  brown  tone,  mingled  with  the  most  gorgeous  scarlet 
and  crimson,  like  our  highest  autumnal  coloring,  and 
the  leaves  covered  with  a  brilliant  lustre-like  varnish. 
We  believe  it  does  not  grow  over  five  or  six  feet  high, 
and  we  find  the  plant  is  much  improved  by  keeping  it 
back  by  occasional  clipping,  as  it  sometimes  has  a  ten- 
dency to  straggle.  It  should  be  always  planted  in  beds 
or  masses,  by  itself. 

The  Rhododendron  is  too  well  known  to  require  des- 
cription. Although  the  R.  Ponticum  and  many  of  the 
hardy  hybrids  like  Nero,  Atrosanguineum,  Ferrugin- 
eum,  and  a  few  others  are  quite  satisfactory  in  the  pro- 
tection of  a  wood,  yet  the  only  truly  reliable  ones 
in  exposed  situations,  are  the  English  varieties  of  the 
Catawbiensis,  of  which  Messrs.  Waterer  &  Godfrey 
(and  we  presume  they  can  also  be  procured  now  at  our 
nurseries)  offer  thirty  varieties  in  color,  all  hardy  here, 
one  and  a  half  to  two  feet  high,  mostly  with  flower 
buds,  at  fifty,  shillings  sterling,  per  hundred,  for 
plants  not  named,  and  ten  pounds  per  hundred  (about 
fifty  cents  each)  for  named  varieties. 

It  is  perhaps  well  to  say  here  that  Rhododendrons, 
Azaleas,  and  most  of  these  evergreen  shrubs,  do  well 
enough  in  ordinary  garden  soil,  but  are  much  improved 
in  color  and  habit,  by  a  soil  prepared  equally  of  peat, 
leaf  soil,  and  sand  or  sandy  loam.  There  is  no  more 
superb  plant  cultivated  than  the  Rhododendron,  and  we 
earnestly  recommend  the  adoption  in  pots  (to  be  kept 
in  the  green-house  during  winter)  of  the  varieties  below 


538 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


mentioned,*  too  tender  to  be  entirely  exposed  all  the 
year. 

The  Ilex  laurifolia  (Laurel-leaved  holly),  strikes  us, 
after  the  Mahonia,  as  the  next  most  valuable  ever- 
green  shrub,  even  more  so  here  than  our  native  Kalmia, 
which  is  very  apt  to  suffer  from  our  hot  August  weather. 
We  have  grown  this  Ilex  many  years,  both  in  a  wood 
and  in  the  most  open  situation,  and  apparently  with 
equal  success ;  though  we  presume  in  certain  seasons, 
with  great  alternations  of  heat  and  cold,  those  exposed 
would  be  apt  to  scorch.  It  has  a  leaf  of  a  color  and 
habit  like  the  Camelia,  and  even  finer  ;  and,  if  we  regard 
foliage  alone  without  flower  (though  even  this  is  pretty), 
we  should  say  we  had  no  finer  plant  upon  this  place.  It 
is  an  exceedingly  great  favorite  of  ours,  and  strange  to 
say,  we  have  never  seen  it  elsewhere. 

The  Kalmia  latifolia  (the  Broad-leaved  Kalmia),  or 
American  Sheep-laurel,  as  it  is  commonly  called,  is 
another  very  desirable  shrub,  as  well  as  its  varieties — 
K.  angustifolia  (Narrow-leaved  Kalmia) ;  K.  myrtifolia 
(Myrtle-leaved) ;  K.  carnea  (Red-flowering  Kalmia),  &c. 
It  is  somewhat  difficult  to  move,  and  although  the 
mountains  in  our  neighborhood  abound  with  them,  we 
have  found  it  less  expensive  to  import  plants  from 
England,  raised  from  seed,  at  fifteen  cents  apiece,  than 
to  transplant  the  native  habitats  of  the  mountains,  with 
their  long  straggling  roots.  Though  it  will  grow  in  the 
sun,  yet  in  the  shade  it  becomes  a  different  plant. 

The  above,  with  the  different  Yews,  Arbor  vitass, 
creeping  and  low-growing  Junipers,  &c,  are  the  only 
dependable   evergreen  shrubs   that  we   can  at  this 

*  Atro  sanguineum  (Superb  Deep  maroon) ;  Archimedes  (Superb  Rose  de 
Chine);  Angiola  (Superb  Cherry  pink);  Prayamvm  ;  Currcanum  (Superb 
Truss  lilac  rose) ;  Chancellor  ;  Fastuosvm  (Magnificent  Truss  lilac);  Gigan- 
tevm;  Hannibal;  Henry  Drummond  ;  Lvxidum ;  Eubrum  Maculatum , 
Nero;  Ne  Plus  Ultra  (Fine  lilac);  Poussin  ;  Reedianum  (Small  Truss  rose- 
pink,  but  fine);  Sir  Isaac  Newton  ;  Vandych  ;  Victoria  (Superb  Deep  lilac) ; 
Cleopatra;  Invictum  ;  Proserpine ;  Speciosum. 


EVERGREEN  ORNAMENTAL  SHRUBS. 


539 


moment  recommend  for  general  planting  in  exposed 
sunny  situations. 

For  amateurs,  who  have  the  advantage  of  a  wood,  or 
a  long  line  of  high  fence,  upon  the  northern  side  of 
which  they  may  have  a  shaded  border,  there  are  several 
other  things  we  would  suggest :  such  as  the  hardy 
Heaths,  the  hardy  Belgic  azalias,  costing  in  England 
£10  per  hundred  (fifty  cents  apiece),  for  named  vari- 
eties, in  twenty  different  colors  :  the  different  Andro- 
medas,  the  Ehodora  Canadensis,  the  various  Gaulthe- 
rias,  the  Ledums,  the  pretty  family  of  Menziesias,  the 
Epigsea,  the  different  varieties  of  Box,  the  green  and 
the  variegated  Euonymous. 

The  Ilex  Scottica  is  represented  to  us  as  quite  as  fine 
and  as  hardy  as  Ilex  laurifolia,  though  we  have  not  yet 
tried  it. 

In  those  parts  of  the  country,  too  cold  to  grow  the 
English  ivy,  we  would  suggest  large  circular  beds,  in 
appropriate  parts  of  the  pleasure-grounds,  to  be  planted 
in  ivy ;  and  which,  while  permitted  to  fill  the  bed,  should 
be  kept  within  it  by  clipping.  Beds  in  this  way  filled 
(the  ground  being  well  covered  in)  with  the  different 
varieties  of  the  Gold-striped,  the  Silver-striped,  and  the 
Dark  Giant,  are  very  effective  and  striking,  and  when 
not  protected  by  snow  in  winter,  can  readily  be  so  by  a 
few  cedar  or  hemlock  boughs  thrown  over  them. 

Note.— As  this  work  is  passing  through  the  press,  we  have  received  a  twig,  per- 
fectly green  and  fresh,  of  an  Ahies  Douglasii,  from  a  tree  at  Cazenovia,  New  York-', 
planted  in  1853,  when  only  eighteen  inches  high,  and  that  has  now  reached  the  alti- 
tude of  eight  feet,  making  annual  shoots  of  fifteen  to  twenty  inches,  withstanding  a 
temperature  in  1855-G-7,  of  25°  to  28°  below  zero,  without  the  slightest  protection 
or  the  least  injury ;  while  the  A.  Menziesii  is  immediately  destroyed,  and  the  Silver 
fir  raised  with  difficulty,  and  where  neither  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon,  the  Pinus 
excelsa,  or  Picea  pinsapo,  succeed  at  all. 

The  tree  from  which  the  specimen  was  sent  us,  is  growing  in  a  retentive  loam, 
rarely  suffering  from  drought,  but  planted  on  an  open  lawn,  entirely  exposed  on 
every  side. 

This  seems  conclusive  evidence  that  cold  at  least,  does  not  injure  the  Douglas  fir, 
and  that  it  may  be  classed  "  Perfectly  hardy"  in  a  climate  usually  considered  the 
most  severe,  or  one  of  the  most  severe,  in  the  State  of  New  York. 


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LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


SECTION  V. 

HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 

It  is  with  great  reluctance  that  we  undertake  this 
portion  of  our  task,  from  a  consciousness  of  our  entire 
inability  to  do  justice  to  the  many  fine  places  which 
exist  all  over  the  United  States,  and  which  require  a 
greater  knowledge  than  we  have  of  them,  as  well  as  more 
space  and  time  than  is  allowed  us,  for  the  remainder  of 
this  supplement. 

With  Mr.  Downing,  in  his  first  edition,  this  labor  was 
comparatively  a  light  one,  as,  twelve  or  fifteen  years  ago, 
there  were  only  a  few  marked  places  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  our  large  cities,  and  upon  the  banks  of  the  Hud- 
son river  and  Long  Island  sound,  which  were  so  dis- 
tinguished and  prominent  as  to  be  easily  described  ;  of 
this  class  were  Col.  Perkins'  and  Mr.  Lyman's  near 
Boston ;  the  Manor  of  Livingston,  Montgomery  place 
and  Hyde  Park,  upon  the  Hudson ;  the  Bartram  gar- 
den, Stenton,  Woodlawn,  etc.,  near  Philadelphia;  and 
a  few  others.  Since  this  period,  however,  the  taste  for 
country  life  has  advanced  so  rapidly,  that,  in  and  about 
these  very  neighborhoods,  there  are,  at  present,  scores  of 
country  houses,  many  of  them  of  the  finest  and  most 
expensive  character,  but  all  partaking  more  or  less  of 
similar  disposition  and  style  of  grounds,  and  a  similar 
fashion  of  planting. 

We  have  already  said,  in  the  introduction  to  this  sup- 
plement, that  since  Mr.  Downing's  time,  though  the 
style  of  country  houses  had  vastly  improved,  yet 
an  equal  improvement  was  not  so  evident  in  Land- 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


547 


scape  Gardening.  This  we  attributed  to  the  fact 
that,  while  an  Architect  was  employed  to  build  the 
house,  no  professional  artist  was  employed  to  arrange 
the  grounds,  and  great  errors  and  mistakes  constantly 
occurred — in  many  cases  so  gross,  as  to  destroy  the  en- 
tire effect  of  what  would  be  otherwise  a  very  fine  and 
attractive  place. 

Although  there  has  been  great  expenditure  of  money 
in  country  houses  and  costly  glass-buildings,  during  the 
past  ten  years,  yet,  in  a  great  many  cases,  very  inferior  ar- 
rangement and  planting  has  been  exhibited  in  the  grounds. 
Landscape  Gardening  is  just  as  much  a  picture,  though  a 
living  one,  made  by  trees,  as  a  painted  landscape  is  made 
by  the  pencil  or  brush  ;  both  require  long  years  of  study, 
artistic  perceptions,  and  a  knowledge  of  how  to  handle 
the  tools.  It  would  be  quite  as  unreasonable,  we  think, 
to  expect  one  of  our  merchants  or  lawyers,  in  active 
business,  to  make  a  landscape,  as  to  paint  one.  How 
can  a  person  who  has  passed  his  life  in  the  whirl  and 
excitement  of  active  business,  or  professional  occupa- 
tions, be  suddenly  transferred  to  the  country  and  be 
expected  to  make  a  garden  ?  It  would  be  just  as  ab- 
surd as  to  expect  that  a  gardener  can  be  transferred  to 
the  counting-room,  and  become,  the  next  day,  a  merchant. 
It  is  quite  as  necessary  in  the  one  case  as  in  the  other 
to  be  educated  up  to  whatever  you  are  to  succeed  in. 

It  requires  more  and  different  qualities  to  make  a 
country-place  than  are  required  for  any  other  profession. 
For  while  industry,  knowledge,  prudence,  sagacity,  are 
generally  all  that  are  necessary  for  a  merchant,  or  law- 
yer, or  doctor,  the  Landscape  Gardener  must  have  not 
only  these  but  also  taste — a  knowledge  of  the  beautiful, 
and  a  perception  of  the  harmony  of  form  and  color ;  in 
other  words,  he  must  be  an  artist. 

The  fashion  of  living  in  the  country  has  not  existed  long 
enough  (though  rapidly  increasing)  tor  this  knowledge  or 
taste  to  have  been  very  widely  extended  ;  for  every  good 


548 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


place  there  are  a  great  many  bad  ones,  and  we  cannot  bnt 
think  that  our  country  residences  would  be  much  more 
agreeable,  if  artists  were  allowed  to  arrange  the  places — 
at  least,  to  make  suggestions,  just  as  artists  are  allowed 
to  build  the  houses,  or,  at  any  rate,  help  build  them. 

The  necessary  result  then,  as  we  have  previously 
observed,  is  that  a  person  going  into  the  country 
to  live,  makes  his  own  place  from  his  neighbor's  sug- 
gestions, or  from  ideas  derived  from  his  neighbor's 
place — which  may  be  very  faulty  or  of  an  entire  differ- 
ent character  from  his  own — with  the  aid,  perhaps,  of 
his  gardener  and  a  suggestive  nurseryman.  A  great 
many  places  are  manufactured  from  these  three  sources  ; 
and  the  general  character  of  them  all  is  so  much  alike, 
that  there  is  little  or  no  distinction  between  half  a  dozen 
in  the  same  neighborhood,  though  a  competent  Land- 
scape Gardener  might  have  developed  many  different 
beauties  in  each. 

In  the  absence,  therefore  (from  having  been  already 
mentioned  in  the  first  part  of  this  book),  of  any  of  those 
very  marked  and  distinguished  residences  which  have 
received  the  stamp  of  years,  where  trees  have  grown 
into  studies,  and  the  places  themselves  have  become 
schools  for  the  lovers  of  art,  we  trust  we  shall 
not  be  thought  invidious  if  we  confine  ourselves 
to  a  brief  mention  of  a  few  of  the  prominent  place* 
which  have  come  under  our  notice  — ■  being  quite 
aware  that  they  are  well  deserving  of  much  more  than 
we  have  an  opportunity  to  say.  We  were  in  hopes 
with  many  of  these  to  have  given  illustrations,  but  here 
again  time  failed  us  ;  even  the  one  or  two  we  succeeded 
in  procuring  were  too  late  for  the  engraver. 

We  are  epiite  aware  we  shall  be  forced  to  omit  a 
great  many  in  more  remote  parts  of  the  country,  which 
we  have  not  yet  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing,  and  this 
makes  us  the  more  regret  that  our  limits  and  our  time 
will  allow  us  to  do  so  little. 


II  fSTGKIC  AL   N  ( )TTCES. 


549 


The  neighborhood  of  Boston  was  so  thoroughly  des- 
cribed in  the  first  portion  of  the  present  volume,  that 
but  little  is  left  us  to  add  to  this  account.  The  same 
places,  more  or  less,  which  were  prominent  then,  are 
quite  as  distinctive  now. 

Mr.  Lee's  lawn,  as  yet,  has  no  rival,  unless  perhaps 
that  of  Mr.  Mudge,  at  Swamscot,  near  Lynn.  Welles- 
ley,  the  residence  of  Mr.  Hunnewell,  we  have  already  de- 
scribed ;  and  though  there  are  a  great  many  other  fine 
houses,  the  places  themselves  are  yet  comparatively 
newly  planted. 

Kenwood,  the  residence  of  Mr.  Peabody,  near  Salem, 
has  a  great  deal  of  quiet  pastoral  beauty,  and  much  ar- 
tistic effect  is  shown  in  the  arrangement  of  the  house 
and  grounds. 

Linmere,  the  residence  of  E.  S.  Fay,  Esq.,  has  great 
capabilities,  not  yet  taken  advantage  of.  There  is  here 
a  very  valuable  collection  of  rare  deciduous  and  ever- 
green trees,  which,  if  properly  thinned  out  and  planted, 
would  be  very  effective.  The  place  itself  is  a  fine  es- 
tate of  some  five  hundred  acres  or  more,  mostly  sur- 
rounding a  lake,  and  very  much  resembling  Scotch 
scenery. 

The  house  and  grounds  of  the  late  John  E.  Thayer, 
Esq.,  including  a  vast  extent  of  glass,  are  perhaps  the 
most  expensive  in  the  neighborhood  of  Boston. 

The  residence  of  Mr.  J.  L.  Gardener  has  a  pretty 
sloping  lawn,  and  an  attractive  flower  garden,  with 
many  fine  Norways  and  other  trees. 

The  difficulty  of  procuring  suitable  residences  in  the 
city,  has  forced  many  persons  into  the  country,  and  the 
consequent  high  prices  have  prevented  the  occupation 
of  much  land  by  any  single  individual. 

The  new  residences  are,  consequently,  surburban, 
but  very  complete  in  all  the  outer  accessaries  of  country 
life — stables,  green  and  fruit-houses,  and  very  substan- 
tial and  handsome  walls. 


550 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Within  a  few  years,  there  has  been  very  visible  im- 
provement in  the  style  and  character  of  the  marine 
residences  in  the  neighborhood  of  Boston. 

At  Lynn,  and  on  what  is  called  the  Beverley  shore, 
are  the  marine  villas  of  Mr.  Prescott,  Mr.  Curtis,  Mr. 
Lawrence,  Mr.  Jasigi,  Mr.  J.  D.  Bates,  Mr.  Loring,  and 
the  late  Mr.  Dexter — all  more  or  less  distinguished 
by  the  excellence  of  their  houses,  and  with  most 
charming  views. 

Newport,  having  become,  of  late  years,  a  very 
desirable  place  of  residence  for  people  of  fortune, 
abounds,  like  the  neighborhood  of  Boston,  in  very  taste- 
ful and  agreeable  villas  and  cottages,  with  prettily 
arranged  and  well  kept  grounds,  the  most  successful 
of  which,  taking  grounds  with  house,  is  Beachclyffe,  the 
residence  of  Delancy  Kane,  Esq.  Mr.  Kane's  house,  a 
very  fine  one,  is  in  the  style  of  the  French  chateaux, 
wTith  extensive  views  both  inland  and  seaward,  and  his 
lawn  is  quite  as  successful  as  any  we  know  in  this 
country.  The  place  is  about  twenty  acres,  and  very 
charmingly  planted  with  a  great  variety  of  the  most 
valuable  trees.  We  think  the  growth  of  certain  varie- 
ties unsurpassed  in  any  place  we  have  ever  seen ; 
and  there  is  a  luxuriance  of  habit  and  depth  of  color  in 
the  masses  which  form  his  boundary  plantations,  which 
is  truly  remarkable. 

Mr.  Kane  had  a  great  advantage  over  many  of  his 
Newport  neighbors,  in  finding  quite  a  number  of  well- 
grown  horse-chestnuts,  and  other  ornamental  trees, 
which  he  has  contrived  to  work,  with  much  good  taste, 
into  his  own  plantations.  The  gate-lodge  here  is  quite 
a  little  gem  in  its  way. 

Malbone  Place. — The  residence  of  Mr.  J.  Prescott 
Hall  is  a  fine  house  of  red  or  rather  brown  freestone, 
commanding  an  extensive  view  of  jNarragansett  bay,  and 
surrounded  by  some  most  extraordinary  Red  cedars,  of 
great  antiquity,  but  with  their  heads,  so  flattened  and 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


551 


distorted  by  the  winds  as  to  produce  the  closest  resem- 
blance to  that  peculiar  horizontal  growth  which  cha- 
racterizes the  Cedar  of  Lebanon. 

Mr.  Hairs  farm  is,  we  believe,  a  tine  one,  and  he  has 
great  command  of  water  from  a  hydraulic  ram,  in  the 
driest  seasons,  sufficient  to  irrigate  his  entire  garden. 

The  celebrated  Buffum  pear  originated  on  this  place, 
and  is  still  very  prolific. 

Mr.  Wetmore's  residence,  built  of  Fall  River  granite, 
is  the  largest  and  most  expensive  house  at  Newport, 
with  a  very  successful  lodge,  and  a  fine  extent  of  glass, 
containing  a  vinery,  and  a  very  handsome  octagonal 
conservatory.  The  view  of  the  sea  from  this  place  is 
very  impressive. 

Mr.  Parish  has  a  line  place  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Mr.  "VVetmore.  The  house,  of  brick  and  stone  trim- 
mings, is  a  very  striking  one,  and  the  lawn  admirably 
kept  to  the  water's  edge.  Adjoining  this  is  the  estate 
of  Mr.  Cadwallader,  where  at  present  there  is  no  house. 
We  believe  great  and  extensive  improvements  are  con- 
templated in  this  place ;  it  is  still  in  an  unfinished 
state. 

The  residence  of  Mr.  King  is  a  handsome  brick  house, 
in  the  Italian  style,  surrounded  by  some  fifteen  acres, 
with  some  remarkably  fine  specimens  of  Pinus  cembra, 
twelve  to  fifteen  feet  high ;  also  some  fine  Junipers 
and  Purple  beeches. 

Mr.  Calvert's  grounds,  near  the  town,  contain  some 
fine  trees  grouped  with  much  taste. 

Among  other  residences  of  more  or  less  merit,  are 
those  of  Messrs.  Russell,  Lyman,  Hoppin,  Yan  Rens- 
selaer, Wright,  Mason,  and  Mr.  Morgan  Gibbes. 

Notwithstanding  the  difficulty  which  is  always  sup- 
posed to  exist,  in  producing  any  effect  by  trees  so  imme- 
diately in  the  neighborhood  of  the  sea,  yet  experience 
shows  that,  at  Newport,  at  least,  much  is  and  has  been 
clone  by  judicious  planting.    Mr.  Kane  informs  us,  and 


552 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


in  this,  we  believe,  Mr.  Smith,  who  is  the  great  autho- 
rity at  Newport  on  trees,  coincides,  that  in  making  an 
evergreen  screen  from  the  sea,  the  Scotch  and  Austrian 
pines  should  be  placed  outside,  Siberian  [Thuja  War- 
reana)  Arbor  vitae,  and  Pinus  cembra  next,  with  per- 
haps the  Common  Red  cedar;  and  among  deciduous 
trees,  nothing  succeeds  better  than  Acer  pseudo-pla- 
tanus  and  JPlatamis  oricntalis  (the  Eastern  plane). 

Upon  the  Hudson,  the  most  marked  place  which  has 
been  created  since  the  first  edition  of  this  book,  is  Bock- 
wood,  the  residence  of  Edwin  Bartlett,  Esq.,  near  Tarry- 
town.  The  house  (Fig.  97),  is  truly  a  princely  mansion, 
with  a  facade  of  nearly  or  quite  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet, 
and  with  its  internal  arrangements  and  decorations,  we 
should  say,  quite  the  most  complete  establishment  in 
the  United  States.  The  estate  itself  consists  of  several 
hundred  acres,  very  cleverly  planted  with  park-like 
effect ;  and  the  approach,  which  is  qnite  a  long  one,  so 
judiciously  managed,  that  it  conveys  the  idea  of  a  very 
large  place,  and  gives  a  stranger  the  most  agreeable 
impression  of  the  house,  at  the  first  appearance,  when 
emerging  from  a  ravine  or  passage  between  two  rocky 
eminences. 

The  views  from  the  house  and  the  plateau  or  terrace 
around  it,  are  very  superb,  and  unrivaled,  we  think, 
upon  the  Hudson  River. 

Yery  extensive  green-houses  and  conservatories  have 
been  erected  under  the  supervision  of  Mr.  Luchars,  a 
builder  of  great  experience ;  and  we  do  not  see  why, 
in  a  few  years,  with  the  taste  and  liberality  of  expendi- 
ture on  the  part  of  the  proprietor,  Rockwood  will  not 
be  the,  or  certainly  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
country-seats  in  America. 

With  regard  to  Hyde  Park  (Mr.  Langdon's),  Ellerslie 
(Mr.  Kelly's),  Montgomery  Place  (Mrs.  Livingston's), 
and  Annandale  (Late  Blithewood),  Mr.  Bard's,  which  we 
have  always  considered  the  four  great  places  in  tin's 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


553 


country,  we  can  only  refer  our  readers  to  Mr.  Downing'? 
remarks  about  them  in  the  first  portion  of  this  volume. 

While  the  hand  of  time  has  even  still  more  mellowed 
their  beauties  by  those  touches  and  effects  which 
Nature  alone  can  produce  with  years,  yet  even  here  the 
hand  of  man  has  not  been  idle. 

At  Annandale  and  Hyde  Park,  extensive  ranges  of 
glass  have  replaced  the  old  ones  of  previous  owners,* 
while  at  Montgomery  Place  and  Ellerslie  the  most 
showy  and  superb  conservatories  and  green-houses  have 
been  erected. 

At  Montgomery  Place  also,  there  has  been  planted 
within  the  past  ten  years,  the  most  complete  and  satis- 
factory arboretum  in  the  United  States.  Neither  pains 
or  expense  have  been  spared  in  obtaining  the  most  entire 
and  thorough  collection,  or  in  the  peculiar  and  appro- 
priate preparation  of  soil  for  the  reception  of  the 
different  varieties. 

In  the  neighborhood  of  Rhinebeck,  is  "  Wyndclyffe," 
the  residence  of  Miss  Jones,  a  very  successful  and  dis- 
tinctive house,  with  much  the  appearance  of  some  of 
the  smaller  Scotch  castles.  This  place  is  still  quite 
new,  but  the  situation  is  one  of  great  beauty,  upon  a 
bold,  projecting  point  of  land,  in  admirable  harmony 
with  the  style  of  the  house,  and  with  the  most  extensive 
and  superb  views. 

Immediately  above  Hyde  Park,  is  the  fine  house  of 
Mr.  Curtis,  one  of  the  most  expensive  and  costly  upon 
the  Hudson,  possessing  very  much  the  same  extended 
views  of  river  and  mountain  as  at  Hyde  Park. 

Roseneath — the  residence  of  C.  M.  Wolcott,  Esq., 
in  our  own  immediate  neighborhood,  is  the  creation  of 
the  past  few  years,  and  we  are  very  much  indebted  to 
it  for  a  great  many  advantages  to  our  own  place,  which 

*  At  Hyde  Park,  a  very  graceful  and  elegant  house  of  the  composite  order, 
designed  and  built  by  Piatt,  of  New  York,  and  with  a  facade  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  feet,  has  within  a  few  years,  replaced  the  hospitable  old  mansion  of 
the  late  Dr.  Hosack. 


554 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


we  should  not  otherwise  possess.  By  the  employment 
of  wire  fences,  and  some  careful  planting  out  of  the 
houses  in  both  places,  a  great  deal  of  what  Nature  has 
done  for  each,  has  been  appropriated  by  both. 

We  know  of  no  other  place  where  such  successful 
masses  of  Rhododendrons,  Azalias,  and  Mahonias  are 
grown  as  here,  being  on  the  north  side  of  the  house,  and 
getting  but  little  or  no  sun.  The  graperies,  green-house, 
and  gardens,  are  extensive,  and  admirably  kept.  By 
means  of  a  steam-engine,  water  can  at  any  moment  be 
forced  into  the  mansion  and  an  outside  reservoir,  from 
which  it  can  be  distributed  over  the  gardens.  In  the 
comparatively  small  space  of  sixteen  acres,  Mr.  Wolcott 
lias  every  attribute  of  a  well-kept  country  place — several 
lawns,  each  distinct  from  the  other,  with  seperate  and 
lovely  views  ;  an  English  flower-garden,  a  most  success- 
ful vegetable-garden,  green-house,  grapery,  and  forcing- 
house,  the  most  charming  views,  and  no  apparent 
boundary  but  river  and  mountain. 

Idlewild — the  residence  of  IT.  P.  Willis,  Esq.,  across 
the  Hudson,  some  four  miles  below  Newburgh,  is  a 
piece  of  Nature's  Landscape  Gardening,  where  the  hand 
of  man  should  not,  and,  from  the  good  taste  of  the  owner, 
has  not  been  allowed  to  appear,  except  in  the  necessary 
buildings.  In  a  work  like  this,  for  the  purpose  of 
showing  the  progress  of  Landscape  Gardening,  this 
place  should,  properly,  not  be  mentioned  ;  and  we  refer 
to  it,  simply  to  show  how  delicate  and  refined  that  taste 
must  be  which,  appreciating  all  that  Nature  has  done 
with  so  much  prodigality  of  beauty,  as  at  "  Idlewild," 
has  the  courage  to  let  her  alone. 

In  the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia,  there  are  a 
great  many  fine  places  ;  among  them  is  Medary,  the 
residence  of  Harry  Ingersoll,  Esq.  A  tasteful  and  sub- 
stantial house,  built  by  Notman,  we  believe,  with 
pleasure-grounds  of  very  considerable  extent,  and  of  a 
pretty,  graceful  character,  softly  undulating,  and  well 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


555 


planted.  The  landscape  and  the  character  of  the 
country  in  the  neighborhood  of  Medary,  though  defi- 
cient in  the  bolder  outlines  of  many  of  our  more 
northern  places,  yet  has,  what  we  confess  is  a  great 
attraction  to  us,  the  quiet  sylvan  beauty  of  English 
scenery — that  pastoral  look,  which  seems  to  suggest  the 
presence  of  animated  nature  ;  and  Mr.  Ingersoll  has, 
with  great  good  taste,  we  think,  taken  advantage  of 
this  hint,  by  the  introduction  of  fine  cattle,  which 
harmonize  most  pleasingly  with  the  character  of  the 
place.  There  is  here  a  pretty  flower-garden,  plant- 
cabinet,  green-house,  vinery,  and  some  new  peach  and 
orchard-houses. 

Brookwood — the  residence  of  Charles  Henry  Fisher, 
Esq. — a  very  extensive  and  complete  establishment, 
with  a  great  amount  of  glass,  most  charming  views,  and 
a  great  deal  of  well-kept,  ornamental  ground,  will,  in  a 
few  years,  be  one  of  the  most  striking  places  near  Phila- 
delphia. 

Alverthoiye — the  residence  of  J.  Francis  Fisher,  Esq., 
is  another  superb  place,  where  a  vast  deal  has  been 
accomplished,  both  with  house  and  grounds.  The  park- 
like view  from  the  front  is  extensive  and  exceedingly 
striking.  An  effective  architectural  appearance  is  pro- 
duced in  connecting  the  mansion  and  green-houses  by 
a  sort  of  cloister,  or  gallery.  The  collection  of  trees 
and  shrubs  at  this  place  is  also  large  and  very  choice. 

Fern  Hill — nearer  town,  is  the  residence  of  J.  Pratt 
McKean,  Esq.,  and  is  another  of  those  remarkably  fine 
and  imposing  houses  which  have  been  erected  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Philadelphia  within  a  few  years. 
Here,  also,  are  fine  ranges  of  glass,  and  extensive  and 
interesting  views,  and  a  great  work  in  process  of  being 
accomplished. 

There  are  many  other  places  near  Philadelphia  (and 
we  think  the  vicinity  of  no  other  city  abounds  in  so  many 
costly  country  residences)  which  we  shall  be  compelled 


556 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


to  pass  over,  from  want  of  time  and  space,  simply  with 
their  names  :  such  as  the  fine  and  expensive  house  of 
Col.  Eastwick,  on  the  old  Bartram  garden  ;  Woodfield, 
the  fine  residence  of  Mr.  Swift ;  Devonshire,  the  seat  of 
Mr.  Blight,  remarkable  for  its  evergreens  ;  and  Champ- 
lost,  the  most  charming  old  country  residence  of  Charles 
P.  Fox,  Esq. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Princeton,  N".  J.,  are  some  fine  resi- 
dences. The  most  interesting  one  to  us  is  Woodlawn, 
belonging  to  Richard  S.  Field,  Esq,  and  which  we  have 
alluded  to  so  often  in  course  of  this  supplement,  that 
we  have  no  right,  perhaps,  to  say  anything  more.  The 
house  is  a  very  fine  one,  and  the  place  most  successful 
in  certain  varieties  of  evergreens. 

There  is  here  a  Cedar  of  Lebanon  (Fig.  38)  larger 
than  any  other  in  the  country,  except  Mr.  Ashe's  at 
Throgg's  E"eck  ;  a  Juniperus  squamata,  unsurpassed  in 
any  collection,  and  Siberian  arbor  vitce  (as  they  are 
called)  though  probably  the  Thuja  "Warreana,  and  many 
other  evergreens  of  matchless  size  and  beauty. 

Near  "Wilmington,"  Del.,  is  the  fine  place  of  Mr.  Ship- 
ly  ;  and  in  the  neighborhood  of  Baltimore,  is  Farm- 
lands, the  noble  estate  of  G.  W.  Lurman,  Esq.,  com- 
prising nearly  six  hundred  acres,  a  large  portion  of 
which  is  cultivated  for  agricultural  purposes,  with  very 
remunerating  success.  The  mansion,  without  any  archi- 
tectural pretension,  is  one  of  great  comfort  and  extent, 
commanding  varied  views  over  a  fine  rolling  country  to 
the  city,  and  adjacent  Chesapeake  ;  a  well  designed  walk 
leads  from  the  lawn,  shaded  by  majestic  oaks,  with  a 
few  fine  and  effective  cedars,  to  a  pretty  valley,  bordered 
by  masses  and  clumps  of  Rhododendrons,  Hollies,  Azalias, 
and  other  rare  and  valuable  shrubs  and  trees  ;  the  whole 
terminating  in  a  brilliant  French  parterre,  surmounted 
on  a  terrace  by  an  extensive  green-house,  in  the  rear  of 
which,  a  gardener's  house,  a  double  curvilinear  vinery, 
a  frame-yard  with  several  hundred  feet  of  brick  pits,  a 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


557 


well  concealed  vegetable  and  fruit  garden,  complete 
the  modern  appliances  of  a  fine  country  seat.  * 

Hampton,  the  residence  of  John  Ridgley,  Esq.,  is 
situated  about  nine  miles  north  of  Baltimore,  and  be- 
longs more  properly  to  the  early  edition  of  this  work, 
than  to  this  supplement,  which  is  intended  simply 
to  describe  what  has  been  done  within  ten  years. 
It  has  been  truly  said  of  Hampton  that  it  expresses 
more  grandeur  than  any  other  place  in  America. 

It  belongs  to  the  stately  order  of  places  almost  unknown 
here  at  the  North,  situated  as  it  is  in  the  midst  of  a  do- 
main of  six  thousand  acres.  The  facade  of  the  house  is 
one  hundred  and  eighty  feet  in  length,  with  offices  at- 
tached, erected  soon  after  the  Revolution,  in  1783. 

The  entrance  hall,  of  great  width  and  dignity,  passes 
the  visitor  to  the  south  front,  where  is  a  terraced  gar- 
den of  great  antiquity,  with  clipped  cedar  hedges  of 
most  venerable  appearance.  The  formal  terraces  of 
exquisitely  kept  grass,  the  long  rows  of  superb  lemon 
and  orange  trees,  with  the  adjacent  orangerie  and  the 
foreign  air  of  the  house,  quite  disturb  ones  ideas  of 
republican  America. 

Clifton  Park,  near  Baltimore,  the  residence  of  John 
Hopkins,  Esq.,  is  unquestionably  one  of  the  most  elabo- 
rate places  in  this  country.  We  remember  no  other, 
where  in  addition  to  a  fine  and  costly  house,  there  is  so 
large  a  range  of  glass,  with  such  diversified  and  extensive 
grounds  ;  the  varieties  of  trees,  shrubs,  walks,  lawns, 
large  pieces  of  ornamental  water,  containing  numerous 
islands  planted  with  masses  of  rhododendrons  and  ever- 
green shrubs,  and  connected  by  appropriate  and  tasteful 
bridges,  are  all,  certainly,  much  in  advance  of  any  other 
place  we  know. 

Lyndhurst,  the  country  seat  of  Reverdy  Johnson, 
Esq.,  has  a  new  and  very  striking  house,  with  a  most 
extended  and  superb  view. 

Carroll  Manor  is  another  fine  old  place,  like  Hampton, 


558 


LANDSC A  I'K  ( !  A RI) EN  IM G . 


with  a  turf  unbroken  for  nearly  two  hundred  years,  and 
of  the  softness  and  thickness  of  velvet. 

Mondawmin,  the  residence  of  Mr.  Brown,  is  a  very 
attractive  place,  prettily  laid  out  and  planted. 

In  concluding  our  remarks  on  what  has  been  done  the 
past  ten  years,  in  various  parts  of  the  United  States,  as 
illustrating  the  progress  in  country  life,  we  insert  a 
short  account  of  the  state  of  Landscape  Gardening  in 
Ohio,  extracted  from  a  letter  of  Robert  Buchanan,  Esq., 
a  well  known  enthusiast  in  rural  matters,  whose  taste- 
fully arranged  grounds  should,  undoubtedly,  have  a 
place  in  the  list  of  beautiful  residences  in  the  pictur- 
esque environs  of  Cincinnati. 

"Landscape  Gardening,  according  to  the  modern 
taste  in  that  beautiful  art,  is  of  but  recent  introduction 
into  the  West.  Previous  to  the  publication  of  Mr. 
Downing's  valuable  book  on  that  subject,  the  improve- 
ments of  public  and  private  grounds  were  made  under 
the  direction  of  the  proprietors,  or  of  some  gardener 
who  had  strayed  out  to  this  new  country  to  better  his 
fortune.  There  was  no  system — nothing  to  copy  after ; 
and  although  all  were  desirous  to  improve  in  good  taste, 
they  had  no  guide,  until  Mr.  Downing's  work  appeared, 
and  that  was  at  once  adopted  as  the  text-book.  Since 
that  period,  the  magic  wand  of  the  enchanter  has  passed 
over  the  country,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  our  cities  and 
towns  has  transformed  the  barren  hills  and  vales  of 
their  environs  into  tasteful  suburban  villas,  through  the 
skill  of  the  Landscape  Gardener. 

"  No  public  or  private  grounds  with  any  pretensions 
to  elegance,  are  now  undertaken  to  be  improved,  with- 
out the  supervision  of  a  competent  master  of  this  art ;  for 
no  one  wishes  to  have  it  said,  that  his  improvements 
were  in  bad  taste. 

"  In  the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati,  on  the  beautiful  hills 
surrounding  the  city,  many  fine  specimens  of  well-im- 


UISTOUICAL  NOTICES. 


559 


proved  country  seats  are  to  be  found.  Among  others, 
may  be  mentioned  those  of  R.  B.  Bowler,  Wm.  Resor, 
W,  B.  Smith,  Griffin  Taylor,  Thos.  Sherlock,  S.  J.  Kel- 
logg, and  Henry  Probasco,  of  Clifton  ;  W.  W.  Scar- 
borough, and  his  neighbors  of  East  Walnut  Hills  ;  Miles 
Greenwood,  and  others,  of  Avondale  ;  several  on  College 
Hill,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Farmers'  College ;  and 
Jacob  Hotfner,  of  Cumminsville,  in  the  valley  below. 

"  In  the  West,  of  late  years,  the  establishment  of 
Rural  Cemeteries  in  the  vicinity  of  towns  and  cities  has 
been  introduced  with  commendable  zeal,  and  with  a  refin- 
ing influence  on  those  interested,  as  well  as  on  the  public 
at  large.  Among  the  most  prominent  of  these  improve- 
ments may  be  named  6  Spring  Grove  Cemetery,'  near 
Cincinnati ;  6  Alleghany  Cemetery,'  near  Pittsburgh  ; 
'  Bell  Fountain,'  of  St.  Louis ;  '  Cave  Hill,'  of  Louis- 
ville ;  and  those  of  Lexington,  Frankfort,  Dayton,  Colum- 
bus, and  Cleveland  ;  many  of  them  presenting  good 
specimens  of  the  art  of  and  taste  in  modern  Landscape 
Gardening. 

"The  environs  of  these  last-named  cities  are  also 
adorned  with  many  elegant  country  residences,  too  nu- 
merous to  mention  here  ;  but  the  country  seats  of  John 
H.  Shoenberger,  of  Pittsburgh ;  Dr.  C.  W.  Short,  of 
Louisville  ;  and  Col.  John  O'Fallon,  of  St.  Louis,  may 
be  given  as  examples.  The  latter,  for  extent  and 
beauty,  is  excelled  by  none  in  the  West." 

In  connection  with  Landscape  Gardening  at  the  West, 
wTe  feel  the  importance  of  impressing  upon  all  planters 
the  great  advantage,  and  even  necessity  of  thick  belts 
and  screens  of  evergreens  on  the  prairies,  to  shelter  or- 
chards, buildings,  and  stock-yards  from  the  severity  of 
the  winter  winds. 

Mr.  Edwards,  the  Secretary  of  the  Illinois  State  Hor- 
ticultural Society,  writes  us,  that  in  this  State,  especially 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Lamoille,  Bureau  County,  the 


5G0 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


following  evergreens  do  well  :  the  "White,  Gray 
(Banksiana),  Austrian,  Cembran,  and  Scotch  pines ;  the 
Red,  Black,  White,  and  Norway  hemlock  spruces  ;  also, 
the  Red  cedar,  the  Savin,  the  Swedish  and  Irish  juni- 
pers, the  Balsam  fir,  the  American  and  Siberian  Arbor 
vitse  ;  that  the  Pine  and  Juniper  are  peculiarly  adapted 
to  the  high,  dry  prairies — the  Arbor  vitse  and  Spruce  to 
moist  localities ;  and  that  the  following  varieties  have 
been  tried,  but  all  need  protection  in  the  winter: 
Araucaria  imbricata,  Cedar  of  Lebanon,  Pinus  excelsa, 
Pinus  maritima,  Deodar  cedar  ;  Douglas,  Menzies,  and 
Pinsapo  spruces  ;  English  and  Irish  yews,  English  Silver 
fir,  Chinese  and  Golden  arbor  vitse;  the  Tree  box, 
and  even  the  Dwarf  box,  for  edging. 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


561 


SECTION  VI. 

HISTORICAL  NOTICES  CONTINUED. 

Not  very  many  years  have  passed,  since  from  the 
crowded  and  confined  state  of  our  public  Burial 
Grounds  within  our  large  cities,  the  question  of  extra- 
mural interments  excited  great  and  earnest  consider- 
ation, and  eventually  led  to  the  establishment  of  Rural 
Cemeteries. 

The  first  one  of  any  importance,  was  that  at  Laurel 
Hill,  near  Philadelphia,  a  most  successful  enterprise, 
mainly  due  to  the  taste  and  perseverance  of  Mr.  John 
Jay  Smith,  of  that  city.  This  was  followed  by  the  one 
at  New  Haven  ;  Mount  Auburn,  near  Boston ;  Green- 
wood, at  New  York ;  Spring  Grove,  near  Cincinnati ; 
two  near  Baltimore,  &c,  until  there  is  hardly  a  city  or 
town  of  any  size  in  the  Union  which  does  not  possess 
its  Rural  Cemetery. 

This  was  one  of  those  grand  improvements  in  civili- 
zation, the  importance  and  necessity  of  which  was  so 
apparent,  that  it  has  since  been  universally  adopted,  and 
may  be  fairly  considered  now  one  of  our  institutions. 

Another,  and  the  next  great  step  onward  which  is 
now  exciting  much  attention  throughout  the  land,  is 
the  establishment  of  Parks,  which  may  be  classified  as 
Public  Parks,  for  the  enjoyment  of  the  People  of  our 
Cities  and  larger  Towns,  as  the  Central  Park  in  New 
York,  and  Hunting  Course  Park,  near  Philadelphia; 
semi-Public  Parks,  owned  and  enjoyed  by  the  persons 
who  live  around  them  ;  and  lastly,  the  Parks,  or  Orna- 
mental Grounds,  attached  to  our  Public  Buildings, 
36 


562 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Colleges,  &c.  As  illustration,  we  will  give  from  each 
class  one  example,  selecting  such  as  we  happen  to  be 
the  most  familiar  with. 

The  Central  Park,  in  New  York,  being  the  most 
important  work  of  the  kind  that  has  been  undertaken  in 
America,  some  slight  reference  to  its  plan  and  general 
intention  will  be  appropriate  here,  the  more  especially, 
as  the  editorial  articles  that  appeared  in  the  "  Horti- 
culturist," urging  its  necessity,  and  setting  forth  its 
advantages,  unquestionably  exercised  an  important  in- 
fluence in  favor  of  the  project. 

The  ground  set  aside  for  the  purpose,  consisting  of 
about  750  acres  (represented  by  the  small  diagram,  Fig. 
99),  was  appropriated  by  an  Act  of  Legislature,  in  the 
course  of  the  year  following  Mr.  Downing's  death.  It 
was  not,  however,  till  the  close  of  1857,  that  the  actual 
purchase  of  the  land  was  completed.  Premiums  for  de- 
signs were  at  this  time  offered  by  the  Commissioners 
intrusted  with  the  conduct  of  the  enterprise,  and  early 
in  June,  1858,  the  plan  (Fig.  98),  submitted  by  Fred. 
Law  Olmsted,  and  Calvert  Yaux,  was  adopted  by  the 
Board.  The  work  was  at  once  actively  commenced, 
under  the  guidance  of  the  designers,  and  has  since  been 
steadily  pressed  forward  by  the  Commission — a  force  of 
over  2,000  men  being  employed  during  the  most  favor- 
able part  of  the  season. 

From  the  published  description  of  the  design,  and 
such  other  data  as  have  been  furnished  us,  it  appears 
that  the  Park  is  two  and-a-half  miles  long  and  half  a 
mile  wide.  It  is  divided  into  two  distinct  parts  by  the 
old  and  new  Reservoirs — the  former  a  quadrangular 
basin  of  mason-work  ;  the  latter,  of  an  irregular  curved 
outline,  with  an  earth  embankment  to  retain  the  water. 
These  two  artificial  structures  occupy  a  considerable 
space,  and  when  complete,  will  have  appropriated 
about  150  acres  of  ground  out  of  the  middle  of  the  site  ; 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


563 


narrow  spaces  being  left  on  either  side,  that  at  certain 
points  become  mere  connecting  links  between  the  upper 
and  lower  portions  of  the  Park. 

The  horizon  lines  of  the  upper  Park,  between  the  New 
Reservoir  and  106th  street,  are  bold  and  sweeping,  and 
the  slopes  have  considerable  breadth  and  amplitude  in 
almost  every  direction  in  which  they  may  be  viewed. 
This  character  is,  perhaps,  taken  altogether,  the  best 
that  can  be  desired  for  a  park  ;  and  but  little  alteration 
of  surface  is,  therefore,  needed. 

A  ravine  of  considerable  extent  runs  through  this  sec- 
tion of  the  Park,  in  which  a  small  lake  (A)  may  readily 
be  formed,  a  view  of  which  is  given  in  Fig.  102 ;  and 
west  of  this  point  (i?),  where  the  road  meets  the  dip  of 
the  two  most  important  hills,  a  stone  bridge  is  proposed 
to  be  erected,  so  that  the  main  circuit-drive  may  in- 
clude in  its  course  a  view  of  all  the  principal  features  of 
interest  in  the  upper  Park.  The  land,  for  some  distance 
to  the  north  of  the  boundary  line  (CC),  provided  by  the 
Act  of  the  Legislature,  should  have  been  included  in 
the  original  grant,  as  it  commands  extensive  views  that 
are  not  obtained  within  the  present  limits,  and  consists 
of  a  series  of  bold  and  picturesque  rocky  bluffs,  termi- 
nating abruptly  at  110th  street,  which  offer  the  only 
natural  boundary  to  the  Park  property.  The  advisa- 
bility of  making  this  alteration  in  the  line  is  now  evi- 
dent to  all  who  visit  the  locality ;  and  the  attention  of 
the  city  authorities  has  been,  for  some  time  past,  drawn 
to  the  subject.  It  is,  therefore,  quite  possible  that  the 
northern  boundary  may  soon  be  advanced  to  110th 
street.  This  will  add  about  sixty  acres  to  the  area  of 
the  Park. 

On  the  easterly  side  of  the  upper  Park  it  is  proposed 
to  plant  an  American  Arboretum  (D),  so  that  every 
one  who  wishes  to  do  so  may  become  acquainted  with 
the  trees  and  shrubs  that  will  flourish  in  the  open 
air,  in  the  northern  and  central  parts  of  our  country. 


564 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


It  is  not  intended  to  be  arranged  formally,  but  so  that 
it  may  present  all  the  most  beautiful  features  of  lawn 
and  woodland  landscape,  preserving,  at  the  same  time, 
the  natural  order  of  families,  as  far  as  practicable.  In 
the  event  of  the  extension  of  the  Park  to  110th  street 
being  made,  the  space  occupied  by  the  Arboretum 
might  be  considerably  enlarged. 

The  lower  Park,  between  59th  street,  and  the  New 
Reservoir,  is  far  more  heterogeneous  in  its  character, 
and  requires  a  much  more  varied  treatment.  Its  most 
prominent  and  characteristic  feature  is  the  long,  rocky 
hill-side  immediately  south  of  the  Old  Reservoir ;  and 
this  has  been  accepted  as  the  central  point  of  landscape 
attraction,  to  which  the  other  ornamental  arrangements 
of  the  plan  are  to  be  made  more  or  less  subservient.  A 
skating-pond,  or  lake,  of  varied  outline,  and  containing 
about  h'fteen  acres,  surrounds  a  considerable  portion  of 
the  base  of  this  hill,  and,  in  a  measure,  separates  it  from 
the  rest  of  the  lower  Park.  Expanses  of  lawn  are  pre- 
pared on  the  table-land  forming  the  summit  of  the  hill, 
and  the  side  is  converted  into  a  ramble,  with  a  labyrin- 
thine arrangement  of  foot-paths,  leading  the  visitor 
among  groves  and  shrubbery,  rivulets,  rocks,  and  glens, 
to  the  prominent  points  of  view  that  are  obtained  in  this 
part  of  the  grounds. 

A  cavernous  passage  formed  by  large,  overhanging 
rocks  has  been  discovered,  and  excavated  during  the 
summer,  and  is  an  interesting  incident  heightening  the 
naturally  picturesque  character  of  the  ramble. 

The  Promenade  (E)  is  the  feature  next  in  importance  in 
the  lower  Park.  It  consists  of  a  broad  level  walk  be- 
tween double  rows  of  elms.  The  boundaries  are  to  be 
on  all  sides  irregularly  planted,  so  that  its  formality  will 
scarcely  be  perceived,  except  within  itself.  Its  northern 
extremity  is  finished  architecturally,  and,  as  suggested 
by  the  original  outline  of  the  surface,  is  elevated  about 
twenty  feet  above  the  ground  immediately  to  the  north, 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


565 


overlooking  the  hill-side  occupied  by  the  ramble,  and 
being  connected  with  the  intervening  lake  by  a  Water 
Terrace  (see  Fig.  103),  with  which  it  communicates  by 
flights  of  stone  steps,  and  also  through  a  spacious  corridor 
passing  under  one  of  the  carriage-drives. 

To  the  west  of  the  promenade  a  tract  of  about 
twenty-five  acres,  of  nearly  level  ground,  has  been  pre- 
pared, by  the  removal  of  rocks  and  other  obstructions, 
which  is  intended  to  be  used  as  a  parade-ground. 

On  the  east  of  the  promenade  (E),  and  partially  separ- 
ated from  it  by  an  intervening  ridge  and  plateau,  is  a 
stretch  of  pleasantly  undulating  ground  (F),  intended  to 
be  carefully  cultivated  and  planted  with  fine  shade  trees. 
To  the  southwest  of  the  promenade  is  the  play -ground, 
containing  now  about  fourteen  acres  of  levelled  surface, 
overlooked  by  picturesque  rocks  that  offer  ample  oppor- 
tunity for  spectators  to  view  the  games. 

The  southern  extremity  or  entrance  to  the  promenade 
is  approached  by  roads  and  foot-paths  leading  from  the 
different  gates  at  the  lower  end  of  the  Park,  and  offers 
a  point  of  concentration  and  divergence  both  for  pedes- 
trians and  those  driving.  Commencing  at  this  point,  a 
short  circuit  or  vis-a-vis  drive  of  a  mile  is  provided 
around  the  parade  and  play-grounds,  with  branches 
connecting  it  with  the  longer  circuit-drive  that  passes 
through  the  whole  length  of  the  upper  and  lower 
Parks. 

Between  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  Avenue  entrances,  near 
the  southern  boundary  of  the  Park,  another  lake  of 
about  six  acres  is  provided  in  low  ground  that  is  sug- 
gestive of  such  an  arrangement. 

Around  the  New  Reservoir  it  is  intended  to  construct  a 
course  for  riding,  and  connecting  with  it,  a  bridle  road 
is  arranged,  that  commences  with  the  principal  entrance 
gates,  and  winds  through  the  Park,  passing  under  the 
roads  and  foot-paths  by  bridges,  one  of  which,  is  shown 
in  Fig.  100. 


506 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


Fig.  100. 


Along  the  westerly  side  of  the  Park,  for  a  distance 
of  nearly  two  miles,  there  will  be  a  winter-drive,  pro- 
tected by  hardy  evergreens  ;  and  on  the  easterly  side  of 
the  lake,  a  Geometric  flower-garden  (G)  of  considerable 
size  is  proposed,  as  will  be  seen  on  the  diagram  of  plan. 
Fig.  99. 

In  adapting  to  its  present  purpose  the  site  selected 
for  the  Park,  its  situation  in  the  probable  future  heart 
of  the  city  had  to  be  considered,  and  transverse  roads 
between  the  east  and  west  sides  of  the  city  were,  of 
course,  demanded.  The  Park  being  two  and-a-half  miles 
in  length,  it  was  also  evident  that  these  transverse  roads 
would,  at  no  very  distant  time,  become  crowded  tho- 
roughfares, having  nothing  in  common  with  the  Park 
proper,  but  every  way  at  variance  with  the  agreeable 
sentiments  it  should  inspire.  Eight  times  in  a  single 
circuit  of  the  Park,  they  would  oblige  a  pleasure-drive  or 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


567 


stroll,  to  encounter  a  turbid  stream  of  traffic.  Each  of 
these  roads  has,  therefore,  been  so  located  and  arranged 
on  the  adopted  plan,  that  it  may  be  carried  through 
the  Park  on  a  grade  that  will  allow  tfie  pleasure-drives 
to  pass  entirely  over  it  at  the  necessary  points  of  inter- 
section, without  any  obvious  elevation  or  divergence 
from  their  routes.  Short  tunnels  are  preferred  for  this 
purpose  to  ordinary  bridges,  so  that  the  spaces  at  the 
sides  of  the  pleasure-drive  may  be  thickly  planted,  and 
the  view  of  the  city-street  below  shut  out  from  view. 
To  illustrate  still  further  the  treatment  of  the  grounds, 
we  have  selected  two  of  the  more  important  points  of 
view  (Figs.  101  and  102,  103  and  104),  showing  the 
original  condition  of  the  land,  and  the  improvements 
which  are  contemplated. 

In  regard  to  the  second  description  of  Parks,  we 
would  first  remark,  that  in  the  United  States,  the  most 
numerous  class  from  whom  the  art  of  Landscape 
Gardening  wTill  receive  attention,  is  composed  of  persons 
of  moderate  means.  They  are  mostly  merchants  or 
professional  men,  who  seek  a  refuge  from  the  confined 
and  unwholesome  air  of  the  city,  or  whose  taste  leads 
them  to  find  agreeable  recreation  in  the  cultivation  and 
adornment  of  a  country  residence  ;  who  still  maintain 
their  business,  or  social  connection  with  the  adjacent 
city  or  town,  but  wdiose  time  and  means  which  can  be 
appropriated  to  their  "  place,"  are  more  or  less  limited. 

"We  have,  indeed,  a  rapidly  increasing  number  of 
men  of  fortune,  whose  estates  are  large  enough,  and 
whose  means  and  liberality  are  adequate  for  the  pro- 
duction of  the  highest  results  of  the  art ;  but  our  best 
efforts  must  fall  far  short  of  the  grand  effects  attainable 
under  the  English  system  of  proprietorship,  and  the 
great  majority  of  the  practical  exponents  of  American 
Gardening,  will  always  be  cultivators  of  few  acres, 
whose  taste,  if  correctly  formed,  will  lead  them  to 
attempt  only  modest  results. 


568 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


There  are  many  practical  difficulties,  which  every 
one  must  find,  who  essays  to  make  such  country  or  sub- 
urban residences.  If  the  selection  of  a  site  is  to  be 
made,  the  proximity  of  nuisances,  or  the  danger  that 
an  advancing  population  from  the  neighboring  city  will 
soon  supply  them,  renders  the  task  one  of  much  per- 
plexity. The  limits  of  your  place,  plant  as  you  may, 
can  not  always  be  concealed,  without  shutting  out  the 
distant  prospect ;  and  all  breadth  of  effect,  and  grace 
of  outline,  is  destroyed  by  the  effort  to  secure  yourself 
from  present  or  anticipated  annoyances.  High  boundary 
fences,  and  a  separate  gate-lodge  for  each  place,  seem 
necessary  for  protection  from  marauders — while  the 
idea  of  even  a  respectable  drive  over  your  own  ground, 
secure  from  the  disagreeable  objects  of  the  public  high- 
way, is  rarely  entertained.  These  difficulties,  and  many 
others,  the  enthusiastic  lover  of  a  country  life  will 
bravely  meet,  and  patiently  endure,  when  they  are 
insurmountable ;  but  the  attempt  to  overcome  them 
has  been  made  with  apparent  success,  by  the  project 
before  mentioned,  of  a  semi-public,  or,  as  it  is,  we 
believe,  called  a  Neighborhood  Park.  The  general 
plan  on  which  such  an  enterprise  can  be  based,  may 
perhaps,  be  best  elucidated  by  the  history  and  des- 
cription of  Llwellyn  Park*  at  Orange,  New  Jersey,  in 
illustration  of  which,  the  engraving  on  steel  (Plate  YL), 
presents  a  view  of  the  entrance.  A  Plan  of  the  same 
is  also  given  in  Fig.  105,  and  the  upper  and  north- 
western part  of  the  Park  is  shown  in  Fig.  106,  the 
figures  being  further  explained  by  the  Table  of  Re- 
ferences, page  573- 

The  site  selected  for  this  Park  is  on  the  eastern  slope 
of  the  Orange  mountain,  which  here  forms  an  inclined 

*  The  origin  and  execution  of  this  valuable  scheme,  is  attributable  to 
Mr.  L.  S.  Haskell,  a  merchant  of  New  York,  who  has  enthusiastically  devoted 
the  past  three  years  to  the  development  of  this,  his  favorite  idea. 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


509 


plane,  starting  from  an  elevated  plateau,  on  which  is 
the  village  of  Orange,  and  ascending  westerly,  at  a 
moderate  grade,  for  about  a  mile,  until  surmounted  by 
a  rocky  cliff  of  "  Trap,"  which  forms  the  crest  of  the 
mountain.  The  location  gives  accessibility  to  New  York, 
by  railroad,  and  to  the  pleasant  village  at  the  base  of 
the  mountain.  The  view  from  the  grounds  comprehends 
the  entire  area,  extending  to  the  city  of  New  York^ 
with  a  peep  of  the  ocean  through  the  Narrows,  on  the 
east ;  the  Highlands  of  the  Hudson  on  the  north  ;  and 
the  receding  blue  of  the  New  Jersey  plains  in  the 
south  ;  with  the  intervening  cities,  villages,  forests,  and 
farms.  The  tract  of  land  procured  for  the  enterprise, 
consisted  of  some  350  acres,  mostly  of  half-cultivated 
or  deserted  farms — partly  forests  of  oak,  hickory, 
chestnuts,  cedar,  and  pines. 

It  will  usually  be  found,  as  in  this  case,  that  the  most 
suitable  land  for  such  a  project  is — from  the  desirable 
irregularities  of  surface,  the  profusion  of  rocks  and  ra- 
vines, and  its  elevated  position — the  least  useful  for  the 
agriculturist.  That  portion  of  the  grounds  selected  for 
the  Park  proper  is  centrally  situated,  as  regards  the 
whole  tract,  and  in  form  it  is  irregular,  following  the 
natural  indications  of  the  surface — being  traversed  by 
a  finely  wooded  ravine,  through  which  flows  a  brook, 
affording  material  for  ornamental  water  and  cascades, 
which  have  been  tastefully  made  throughout  its  course. 
It  comprises  nearly  sixty  acres — its  greatest  length  mea- 
suring one  mile — the  entire  tract  being  encompassed  by 
a  road  which  gives  access  to  the  surrounding  residences  ; 
and  the  other  drives  made  for  the  convenience  of  those 
sites  not  immediately  contiguous  to  the  Park,  increase  the 
extent  of  carriage  roads  to  an  aggregate  of  five  miles. 
The  walks,  measuring  about  the  same  length,  lead  from 
the  entrance,  to  the  summit  of  the  cliff,  and  to  other 
interesting  parts  of  the  grounds  ;  while  at  suitable  points 
are  kiosks,  seats,  and  bridges,  constructed  in  rustic- 


570 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


work,  to  be  in  keeping  with  the  natural  character  of  the 
surrounding  forests.  The  entrance  from  the  public 
road  is  protected  by  a  gate-lodge,  and  is  set  back  from 
the  highway  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet ;  a  liberal  space 
here  rendering  the  change  from  the  road  to  the  culti- 
vated grounder  of  the  park  less  abrupt,  and  expressing 
the  idea  of  hospitality.  The  main  avenue  from  the 
entrance  soon  leads  the  visitor  into  the  ravine,  while  on 
either  hand  diverge  the  other  roads;  following  Glen 
Avenue,  we  emerge  from  the  ravine,  by  a  picturesque 
turn  up  the  precipitous  bank.  The  somewhat  laby- 
rinthian  drives  which  now  offer  themselves,  lead  in 
graceful  curves  throughout  the  estate,  the  unity  of 
which  is  not  marred  by  interior  fences ;  for  though  the 
proprietors  are  not  restricted  in  this  respect  by  any 
rule,  they  have,  by  common  consent,  thus  far  avoided 
the  erection  of  any  barriers,  excepting  those  necessary 
to  enclose  the  whole  tract.  The  Park  itself  and  all  the 
private  places,  seem  like  one  large  estate,  enlivened  by 
the  dwellings  and  embellishments  which,  at  intervals, 
are  seen  throughout  the  vistas  of  the  forest.  After 
making  the  detour  of  these  grounds,  the  drive  may  be 
continued  to  other  interesting  places  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, among  which  is  "  Eagle  Rock,"  a  bold  projecting 
portion  of  the  cliff,  commanding  a  wider  scope  of  the 
horizon,  and  more  nearly  a  birds-eye  view  of  the  land- 
scape. Around  this  central  tract,  especially  termed 
"  the  Park,"  the  remainder  of  the  property  is  divided 
into  about  fifty  villa  sites,  of  from  three  to  ten  acres 
each,  the  proprietors  of  which  have  a  joint  interest 
in  and  common  access  to  the  Park,  but  who  possess 
the  sole  and  unrestricted  right  to  the  lot  which 
they  may  have  selected.  The  fund  for  the  pur- 
chase and  embellishment  of  the  Park  is  derived  from 
an  assessment  on  the  surrounding  sites,  of  one  hundred 
dollars  per  acre  ;  and  for  the  maintenance  of  the  Park, 
and  future  improvements,  an  annual  assessment  is  made 


HISTORICAL  NOTICES. 


571 


by  the  proprietors,  not  to  exceed  ten  dollars  per  acre. 
The  fee  of  the  Park  is  in  three  trustees  and  their 
successors,  and  its  care  and  embellishment  is  entrusted 
to  a  "  Committee  of  Management,"  who  are  elected 
annually  by  the  lot  owners. 

Some  of  the  advantages  which  are  aimed  at,  in  what 
may  be  termed  the  social  park,  may  be  thus  stated : 

1.  The  securing  a  neighborhood  free  from  nuisances 
and  an  inferior  class  of  buildings. 

2.  The  rural  character  of  the  grounds  is  preserved, 
instead  of  assuming  the  rectangular  forms  of  a  village, 
which  are  a  repetition  of  city  lots  on  an  inferior  scale. 

3.  The  different  places  can  be  laid  out  with  mutual 
reference  to  each  other,  so  that  the  subdivisions  are  not 
apparent  in  a  way  detrimental  to  the  general  effect. 

4.  A  tine  entrance  and  approach  road  can  be  secured, 
even  where  the  private  grounds  are  small,  and  the 
amount  appropriated  to  these  embellishments  limited. 

5.  The  Park  affords  extensive  drives  and  walks  for 
the  exclusive  use  of  the  proprietors,  with  a  variety  in 
the  ornamental  grounds  unattainable  on  places  of  ordi- 
nary magnitude. 

To  illustrate  the  general  mode  of  treatment  of  the 
private  grounds  adjoining  the  Park,  we  give,  in  Figs.  10T 
and  108,  plans  of  one  of  the  sites  of  five  acres.  It  is 
situated  on  a  gentle  knoll,  and  the  house,  which  is  in 
the  Tuscan  manner,  occupies  the  summit,  and  com- 
mands fine  distant  views  in  all  directions.  The  place 
is  laid  out  in  the  natural  style,  by  that  very  clever 
Landscape  Gardener,  Mr.  Bauman,  and  an  appropriate 
connection  between  the  house  and  the  surrounding 
grounds  is  maintained  by  an  artificial  terrace,  fifteen 
feet  wide  at  the  top,  and  ornamented  with  vases,  etc. 

The  plans  may  serve,  also,  to  show  the  method  of 
grouping  the  trees — their  positions,  and  the  varieties 
used,  being  given  in  the  Table  of  References,  page  573. 

Another  phase  of  improvement  in  our  rural  taste  is 
the  increasing  care  and  attention  bestowed  upon  the 


572 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


grounds  attached  to  our  colleges,  hospitals,  and  other 
public  buildings. 

Mr.  Downing,  we  think,  did  much  to  develop  this  in 
the  taste  he  displayed  in  the  arrangement  of  the  grounds 
attached  to  the  Smithsonian  Institute  and  La  Fayette 
Square,  in  Washington.  "We  are  rapidly  passing  from  the 
straight,  formal  walks,  and  the  rectangular  plantations 
of  the  past,  into  the  more  harmonious  and  pleasing 
arrangements  of  the  modern  school.  Clinton  Park  and 
Botanic  Garden,  which  contains  within  its  limits  Hamil- 
ton College,  at  Clinton,  Y.,  is  a  very  successful  illus- 
tration of  this  improvement.  Fifteen  or  twenty  acres 
have  been  enclosed  within  the  College  Park,  and  en- 
tirely laid  out  in  the  most  skillful  and  artistic  manner. 
Broad  and  extensive  lawns  are  divided  by  graceful 
walks  throughout  the  whole  extent ;  trees  and  shrubs, 
of  every  description  flourishing  in  this  climate,  have  been 
planted  in  groups,  masses,  or  as  single  specimens. 

A  section  of  the  ground  will  be  used  as  a  Botanic 
Garden,  in  which  trees,  shrubs,  and  flowers  will  be 
arranged  according  to  their  several  families. 

The  humanizing  influence  of  harmonious  and  beauti- 
ful surroundings  upon  every  one,  is  beyond  all  question ; 
and  it  was  truly  said  by  the  Pev.  Mr.  Gridley,  to  wmose 
taste  and  energy  much  of  the  success  of  the  Clinton 
Park  is  due,  that  "  it  is  no  vain  thing  to  suppose  that 
the  minds  and  hearts  of  students  will  be  benefited  by 
daily  walks  through  such  grounds,  and  in  view  of  such 
a  varied  and  wide-spread  landscape :  these  peaceful 
shades  and  sunny  slopes  and  laughing  streams — this 
hum  of  cheerful  industry — the  music  of  distant  church 
bells,  and  the  glimpses  and  echoes  here  caught  of  the 
great  thoroughfares  of  business  and  travel  that  mark 
the  great  world  without — these  skies,  ever  changing  and 
ever  beautiful,  and  the  seasons  rolling  through  them — : 
what  mind  can  be  brought  into  the  midst  of  such  scenes 
without  deriving  from  them  essential  profit  ?" 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENING. 


573 


REFERENCES. 


EXPLANATION  OF  EEFEEENCES  FOR  FIGUEES  105  &  106. 


No.  1. 


Lyceum. 
The  Wigwam. 
Summer-house. 

Children's  Play-ground. 

Social  Circle. 

The  Evergreens. 

The  Hickories. 

The  Chestnuts. 

The  Oaks. 

The  Eocks. 


No.  12.  Stone  Bridge  on  Oak  Bend. 
"   13.  The  Cascade. 
"   14.  Gate-lodge. 

"   15.  Conservatory  and  Propagating- 

house. 
"   16.  Prospect  Tower. 
"   17.  The  Kiosk. 
"  18.  Eockwork. 
"   19.  Eavine  Spring. 
P.  B.  Private  Eesidences. 


TABLE  OF  EEFEEENCES  FOE  FIGUEES  107  &  103. 


S.     The  House. 

T.     The  Conservatory. 

B.    Grass  Terrace. 

B.  Gravelled  Terrace. 
W.  Approach. 

A".    Fountain  and  Jet  d'eau,  surrounded 

with  beds  of  flowers. 
O.    Kiosk,  from  which  is  the  best  view 

of  the  house. 
K.     Eosery,  in  the  centre  of  which  is  a 

suitable  place  for  a  statue  or  vase. 
A.     Coach-house  and  Stable. 

C.  Kitchen-garden,  separated  from  the 

lawn  by  a  belt  of  trees,  DLL. 
E  1.  Sugar  Maple. 
2.  Silver  " 
8.  Norway  " 

4.  Lombardy  Poplar. 

5.  Screen  of  American  Arbor  Vitae. 

6.  Group  of  Ehododendrons. 

F\.  Group  of  White  Pines. 

2.  Lofty  growing  ti-ees,  near  the  bound- 

ary, Oaks,  Maples,  and  Tulips. 

3.  Chinese  double-flowering  Apple,  Ken- 

tucky Coffee  tree,  and  Kolreu- 
teria. 

ZZT,  6,  &  7.  A  large  group  of  trees,  both 
Evergreen  and  Deciduous,  planted 
on  the  outskirts  of  the  place. 

2.  Acacia  Bensoniana. 

3.  Group  of  Euonymus  (purple-leaved). 

4.  Austrian  Pine  and  Pinus  excelsa. 

5.  European  Weeping  Ash. 

i"  1.  Group  of  low  evergreen  trees,  Yew 
&  Arbor  Vitae. 

2.  Group  of  Mountain  Laurels. 

3.  "      of  Mahonias. 

4.  "      of  Bohemian  Olives. 


5.  Thuja  Siberica. 

6.  Syringa  Chinensis. 

7.  Group  of  Lindens. 

8.  A  Weeping  Willow. 

9.  Eed  Flowering  Horse-chestnut. 

10.  Double-white       "  * 

11.  Hemlock,  European  Silver  Fir,  Irish 

Juniper,  and  Picea  Webbiana, 
planted  singly. 

12.  Pyrus  Japonica. 

Ml.  Groups  of  Evergreen  Trees. 

2.  Syringa  grandiflora,  Forsythia  Viri- 

dissima  and  Kerria  Japonica. 

3.  Berberis  purpurea,  Amygdalus  pu- 

mila,  Calicanthus  lamgatus,  and 
Deutzia  gracilis. 

4.  Double-flowering  Cherry. 

5.  Three  single  American  Silver  Firs. 

6.  Juniperus  communis. 

7.  American  Weeping  Willow. 

8.  Magnolia  tripetala. 

9.  Magnolia  Soulangiana. 

10.  Deciduous  Cypress  and  Ginko. 

11.  Purple-leaved  Beech. 

12.  Paulownia  iinperialis. 

13.  Judas  Tree  and  Amer.  Nettle  Tree. 

14.  Spireas. 

P  1.  Group  of  six  Mahonias. 

2.  "      of  Ehododendrons. 

3.  "      of  Kalmias  and  Epigea  re- 

pens. 

Q  1.  Group  of  Eoses,  Spireas,  and  Weige- 
lias. 

2.  Azalias. 

3.  Ehododendrons. 

4.  Magnolia  purpurea. 

U    Yard  and  WelL 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Page 

Abies  256,  484 

"   bractcata   50S 

densa   511 

14   Fraseri.   508 

11   Ktempferi   242,  506. 

"   nobilis   509 

pinsapo   511 

•k   spectabalis   Ml 

"    Webbiana   511 

Acclimatizing  trees  473 

Acer   165,  455 

Acacia,  three  thorned   172 

..Esculus   155,  457 

African  Cyprus   535 

Ailauthus  202 

Alder   163,  439 

Alderthorpe,  residence  uf  J.  F.  Fisher  555 

Alnus   163,  459 

American  Silver  Fir   . .  256 

Ampelopsis  hederacea   278 

Ancient  Style,  plantations  in   75 

Arabia   470 

Araucaria   488 

Arbor  vitae   267,  489,  529 

broad-leaved   529 

"      Don's   507 

Architecture  Rural   318 

Aristolochia  sipho   2S0 

Appendix   413 

Approach,  the   288 

Arnold,  James,  residence  of   41 

Ash,  the  121,  138,  462,  463 

Aspinwall,  W.  H.,  residence  of   36 

Balm  of  Gilead    256 

Balsam  Fir   256 

Baltimore,  residences  around   556 

Bartrani  Garden   556 

Bass  wood   145 

Beachclyffe   550 

Beautiful,  in  Landscape  Gardening. .  51 

Beautiful,  planting  to  produce   80 

Beech,  the   147,  461 

Belmont  88,  158 

Betula   461 

Berberis  539 

Bi^nonia   280 

Birch,  the   158,  460 

Black  Gum   216 

Blithewood   30 

Boston,  residences  around   549 

Brookwood,  residence  of  C.  H  Fisher  555 

Brooks,  treatment  of  313 

Broussonetia   186 

Brown,  Alex.,  residence  of   43 

Bridges   399 

Buttomvood,  the   134 

California  Nutmeg   533 

California  Redwood   527 

Comae,  Mrs.,  residence  of   42 

574 


Tag  « 

Carpinus   150,  462 

Carroll  Manor   538 

Carya   194 

Cascades  314 

Castanea   176,  460 

Catalpa   212 

Ceanothus   470 

Cedars   266,  491 

Cedar,  Incense   506 

Cedar,  Japan  495 

Cedar  of  Lebanon   262 

Cedar,  the  White   495 

Cedrus   491 

Celastrus  scandens   279 

Cemeteries,  rural   559,  561 

Central  Park,  N.  Y   562 

Cercis   174,  461 

Cephalotaxus   494,  528 

Chamajcyparis  535 

Champlost,  residence  of  C.  F.  Fox. . .  556 

Chestnut   176 

Chinese  rice  paper  plant   470 

Chinensis  procumbens  497 

Chinquapin   180 

Clematis  281 

Clifton   Park,  residence  of  Mr. 

Hopkins   557 

Clinton  Park,  Clinton,  N.  Y   572 

Compost  for  Rhododendrons,  &c  537 

Cornus   2*9 

Cornus  variegata   470 

Conservatory   386 

Cotoneaster   536 

Cottage  ornee   100 

Country  place,  how  to  make  437 

Crataegus   218 

Cryptomerias   495 

Cunninghamia  496 

Currant,  flowering  471 

Cushing,  J.  P.,  residence  of.   38 

Cupressus   238,  497,  527 

Cypress    234 

"     the  African  535 

"     Deciduous   527 

"    the  True   497 

Dacrydium  498 

Daphne  atro  purpureum  471 

Deciduous  Shrubs   469 

Diospvros   214 

Deutzias   471 

Devonshire,  residenco  of  Mr.  Blight  556 

Dogwood   229 

"     Variegated-leaved  470 

Drive,  the   293 

Elder,  black  471 

Ellerslie   33 

Elm,  the   128,  469 

Embellishments    862 

Emmet,  Win.,  residence  of.   34 


GENERAL  INDEX.  575 


English  Cottage  Style   348 

Entrance  Lodges   856 

European  Silver  Fir   257 

Expression  in  Architecture   323 

Evergreen  trees   246 

"  the  newer   484 

Evergreen  shrubs.   535 

Evergreens,  transplanting   419 

Fagus   147,  461 

Farmlands,  residence  of  Mr.  Lurman  556 

Fences   295 

Ferme  ornee   99 

Fern-Hill,  residence  of  J.  P.  M'Kean  555 

Firs  256 

Fir,  the  American  Silver   246 

"     European  Silver   257 

Fitz-Eoya  Patagonia  499 

Flower  Garden,  architectural   371 

"         "      English   376 

"         "      at  Dropinore  375 

"         "      French   374 

"      irregular   373 

Flowers,  introduction  of     430 

Forsytbia  viridissima   471 

Fountains  404 

Fraxinus   138,  462 

Gardiner,  J.  S.,  residence  of   549 

Gelseminum   285 

Geometric  gardening   72 

Ginko   26,  231 

Gleditschia   172 

Glycine   282 

Glyptostrobus  499 

Gothic  Style  for  Domestic  Architec- 
ture  341 

Green  House  386 

Ground,  treatment  of.   287 

Grouping  of  trees  77,  114 

Gynmocladus   204 

Hamilton,  Wm.,  residence  of   25 

Hampton,  residence  of  Mr.  Eidgley  557 
Harmony    between     House  and 

Grounds  327 

Harmony  in   Landscape  Garden- 
ing  66 

Hawthorn,  English  218 

Hedera  Helix   276 

Hedges,  trees  suitable  for   296 

Hercules'  Club   470 

Historical  Notices  17,  546 

Hillhouse,  James,  residence  of   37 

Hickory  Tree   194 

Holes  for  Trees   418 

Holly   270 

Honeysuckle   ...  283 

Hornbeam   150,  462 

Horse  Chestnut   155,  457 

Hudson  River,  residences  on   552 

Hunter's  Island   36 

Hunnewell,  H.  II.,  residence  of.  442 

Idlewild   554 

Ilex   270 

Ilex  laurifolia  536,  538 

Illinois,  Mr.   Edwards1   Report  on 

Evergreens  in   560 

Irving,  Washington,  residence  of.  35,  353 

Ironwood  150 

Islands,  formation  of  308 

Italian  Scenery   451 

Italian  Garden    .   444 


Pagb 

Jessamine    285 

Judas  Tree   174 

Juglans   190 

Junipers   266,  500 

Landscape  Gardening  17,  45,  67 

Do.      progress  in   425 

Lakes  in  Landscape  Gardening  302 

Larch,  tbe  238,  506 

Larix   238 

Latimer,  J.  R.,  residence  of   43 

Laurus   211 

Lawn,  treatment  of   420,  424 

"    Grass  Seed  for   122 

"    Mowing  Macbine  422 

Top  Dressing  for   424 

Lee,  Thomas,  residence  of   40 

Lemon  Hill   27 

Leycesteria   471 

Libocedrus   506 

Ligustrum   471 

Liriodendron   225 

Linden,  the   143,  469 

Linmere,  residence  of  11.  S.  Fay.. ..  149 

Lime  Tree   143,  469 

Liquid  Amber   188 

Livingston,  Chancellor,  residence  of  27 

Livingston,  Manor  of   30 

Llewellyn  Park,  Orange,  N.  J   567 

Locust,  the   170 

Lonicera   283 

Ludlow,  T.  W.,  residence  of.  353 

Lyman,  Theo.,         "    26 

Lyndhurst,  residence  of  R.  Johnson. .  558 

Machine  for  Mowing  Lawns  417,  422 

Madura   181 

Magnolia   330,  464 

Mahonia   536 

Malbone  Place,  residence  of  J.  Pres- 

cott  Hall,  Esq  550 

Mammoth  Tree,  the   534 

Maple,  the   165,  455 

Margins  of  Water  318 

Marine  Residences  549 

Minturn,  Robert  B   36 

Modern  Style,  plantations  in    76 

Monroe,  James,  residence  of.   36 

Mondawmin   558 

Montgomery  Place   31 

Morus  184 

Mountain  Ash   198,  467 

Mowing  Lawns  422 

Mulberry   184 

Newport,  residences  around  550 

Norway  Spruce   257 

Nyssa   217 

Oak,  the   117,465 

Ohio,  Landscape  Gardening  in  558 

Ornamental  Plantations    91 

Ostrya   150 

Osage  Orange  181 

Outline  of  Water   304 

Park,  treatment  of   88 

Parks   562 

Paulownia   245 

Pavia   157,  458 

Peach,  White  flowering.   471 

Periploca  '     .  2S5 

Perkins,  Col.,  residence  of.  \  ...  38 

Persica  vulgaris,  flore  pleno  alba. ...  47 i 


576 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Page 

rersiinon,  the   214 

Peters,  Judge,  residence  of   26 

Peperidge,  the   216 

Philadelphia,  residences  around  555 

Picea   507 

Picturesque  in  Landscape  Gard   51 

Picturesque,  planting  to  produce   81 

Pine,  the   511,  246 

Pino,  Chili  489 

"   Norfolk  Island  489 

Pine-Bank   89 

Pinus   246,  511,  509 

"    cedrus   493 

"    deodara   491 

"    Praseri   508 

*    Kampferi   506 

"    lasiocarpa   507 

"    pinsapo   511 

"    striata   511 

"    Siberica   510 

Pipe  vine   280 

Pits  for  wintering  plants  482 

Plane  tree   184 

Plantanus   134 

Plants,  half-hardy   473 

Podocarpus   525 

Poplar,  the   228,  150 

Populus   150 

Porch,  expression  of   325 

Prairies,  evergreens  on  the   560 

Privet   471 

Prospect  tower   397 

Pseudo  larix  Kaempferi  506 

Pyrus   198 

Quercus  117,  465 

Rathbone  J.,  residence  of   34 

Repose  in  Landscape  Gardening   432 

Retinispora  ericoides   535 

Rhododendrons   536 

Ribes  sanguineum  fiore  pleno   471 

River  side  villa,  illustration  of.   97 

Roads,  construction  of   288 

Robinea   170 

Roseneath,  residence  of  C.  M.  Wol- 

cott   554 

Roses   284 

Rocks,  used  with  ornamental  water.  307 

Rock-work   400 

Rockwood   552 

Rustic  work,  fences  of   297 

Salisburia   26,  231 

Salix   207,  466 

Sambucus  fiore  pleno  471 

Sargent,  II.  W.,  residence  of         439,  34 

Sassafras  tree   211 

Saxe  Gothiea  conspicua   526 

Sei-vice  tree   201 

Seats,  open  and  covered   392 

Sequoia  gigantea   534 

"      semper  virens  527 

Silver  fir   507 

Sheaff,  G.,  residence  of.   41 

Sheldon,  Mr.,  residence  of.   354 

Shrubbery,  the   380 

Shrubs,  Evergreen   535 

Sophora   467 

Spireas   471 

Spruce  Firs  484 

Stakes,  use  of,  in  planting   448 

Statues   36S 


Pagb 

Stenton  

Styles  of  Architecture   328 

Supplement  to  Landscape  Gardening  425 
Survilliers,  Count  de,  residence  of.  . .  41 

Sweet  Gum  tree   188 

Syringa  Josikaja   472 

Tabular  view  of  evergreens  540 

Tamarix  Africana  472 

Taxus  '.   272,  528 

w    Montana   1 3,3 

"    Lambertiana  511 

Taxodium    234 

"       pendulum   500 

"       distichum   527 

"       Japonicum   499 

"       sempervirens   527 

Terrace,to  connect  house  and  grounds  368 

Thayer,  J.  E.,  residence  of   54y 

Thuiopsis   497,  529 

Thuja   499,  529 

"     Australis  491 

Thorn  tree   218 

Tilia   143,  40S 

Transporting  trees  418,  417 

Trees,  choice  of   415 

"     classification  of   102 

"     expression  in   112 

"     drooping   109 

"     management  of,  in  Landscape.  69 

"     round  headed   103 

"     spiry  top   105 

"     oblong  headed.   108 

Trumpet  creeper   280 

Torreya   532 

Tupelo  217 

Tulip  tree   225 

Ulmus   128,  470 

Unity  in  Landscape  Gardening   64 

Variety  in  Landscape  Gardening   66 

Vines   275 

Virginia  creeper   278 

Virgilia  lutea   243 

Wadsworth,  D.,  residence  of   37 

Walks,  construction  of   2S8 

Waltham  House   2S 

Walnut  tree   198 

Warren,  Mr.,  residence  of   354 

Washingtonia  gigantea   534 

Water,  treatment  of   299 

Waterfalls   314 

W'atering  trees  when  planting   418 

Wrellingtonia  gigantea   534 

White  beam,  the   201 

White  wood   225 

Widdringtonia   535 

Willow   207,  466 

Wistaria   2S2 

Wood,  management  of   TO,  87,  440 

Woodbine   2S3 

Woodfield,  residence  of  Mr.  Swift. . .  25 

Woodlawn   556 

Wodenethe   34 

Yew,  the   272,  494,  52S 

"    Prince  Albert's   526 

*    stinking   532 

Vases    368 

Verandah   326 


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